PAMPANGA RAID YIELDS P1.9-M FAKE CIGARETTES, SMUGGLED GOODS; 5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED

BY KEVIN GALANG

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Police on Thursday arrested five suspects and seized almost P2 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes and smuggled goods in a late-night operation in Plaridel, Bulacan.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, raided was a rented compound in Bgy. San Jose.

Arrested were a Chinese national believed to be the tenant of the compound, along with four Filipino workers and a driver. 

The Plaridel police, with support from the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Bulacan and representatives of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, launched the operation following a complaint from the property owner regarding suspicious activities in the rented compound.

Operatives who conducted verification and inspection of the site discovered multiple boxes of cigarettes.

The items included counterfeit and untaxed Marlboro products, in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, particularly provisions on illicit tobacco trade.

Police said additional violations include breaches of intellectual property laws, Republic Act 7394, and Republic Act 10643.

All suspects reportedly failed to present proof of tax payment or legal documentation for the goods.

Seized items included counterfeit cigarette brands and untaxed products such as Green Commando, Cannon, Mighty, Two Moon, and Delta, with an estimated value of P812,500.

Authorities also confiscated assorted consumer goods suspected to be counterfeit or non-compliant, including rubber shoes, food seasonings, instant noodles, and perfumes worth around P1.09 million. 

The total value of recovered items reached approximately P1.9 million.

Mendez said the operation reflects intensified efforts to curb smuggling and illegal trade in Central Luzon, in line with directives from Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. and Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr..

“This operation underscores our firm stance against smuggling and the proliferation of counterfeit goods that undermine our economy and endanger public welfare,” said Mendez.

He added that authorities will continue intelligence-driven operations in coordination with partner agencies to stop the proliferation of counterfeit products.