CIDG: P2-M worth of counterfeit cigarettes seized in Malabon raid
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized around P2 million worth of tobacco products following the arrest of a Chinese businessman during an operation in Malabon.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the operation was part of the efforts to run after those engaged in manufacture and trade of counterfeited items and illicit trading of tobacco products across the country.
After confirming intelligence reports about the involvement of a certain Ziqiang in the sale of counterfeit cigarettes, CIDG operatives conducted an operation that led to his arrest on Orange Road in Potrero on May 23.
Seized were three master cases of alleged counterfeited and trademark infringing Marlboro Gold Nise and Luxury cigarettes worth around P2 million.
“This underscores our unrelenting fight against counterfeited products and violations of Intellectual Property Code,” said Torre.
The arrested suspect was already charged with violation of Section 155 (Trademark Infringement); Section 168 (Unfair Trade Competition); in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) for selling and trading trademark infringing cigarettes.