CIGARETTE-MAKING MACHINES, ILLICIT TOBACCO PRODUCTS SEIZED IN PAMPANGA WAREHOUSE RAID

BY KEVIN GALANG

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 CIDG-RFU3) on Wednesday raided a commercial warehouse and seized cigarette-making and repacking machines, tobacco materials, and boxes of alleged illicit cigarette products in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

Members of the CIDG RFU3  led by Col. Grant Gollod launched the raid at the Chamian Commercial Warehouse located at Lot 2-C, Phase 4, Baliti Road, Bgy. Panipuan as part of the “Oplan Megashopper” drive.

The operation was conducted based on a search warrant  issued  by  the Regional Trial Court, Branch 42, City of San Fernando, Pampanga for alleged violation of Article 94 in relation to Article 95 of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Gollod said seized were four units of cigarette packing components, one set of cigarette repacking machine, two units of cigarette-making machines, and three tobacco drying machines as well as 65 boxes containing “Playboy” cigarette sticks, eight boxes of cigarette filters, four boxes of ground tobacco, 150 empty unlabeled cigarette master cases, and assorted Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps.

The estimated market value of the seized items has yet to be determined pending valuation by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

Based on a certification issued by the City of San Fernando Assessor’s Office, the warehouse is reportedly owned, managed, and controlled by officials of Fast Track Trade Link OPC identified as Richard Uy, legal counsel; Marilyn S. Garcia and Leonard Bangayan Lim, both attorneys-in-fact; and Gilbert Sy, corporate secretary. 

All respondents were not present during the raid and remain at-large. 

Gollod said the raid stemmed from intensive surveillance, intelligence monitoring, and case build-up operations following an earlier operation in Mexico, Pampanga. 

A tip form a confidential informant indicated that the warehouse was allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture, storage, transport, and large-scale distribution of “Playboy” and other unbranded cigarettes.

Authorities said the products allegedly failed to comply with consumer product standards and graphic health warning requirements. 

They added that the large-scale operation may also constitute violations of the National Internal Revenue Code for possession and use of counterfeit BIR tax stamps, provisions of the Revised Penal Code on falsification, Republic Act 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Republic Act 10364 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Investigators further revealed that the registered business of the respondents was meat manufacturing and  not cigarette production. 

Authorities also noted improper waste disposal practices, including the use of a man-made pit, which they said posed potential health and safety risks to workers and nearby residents.

Gollod said the operation underscores CIDG’s intensified campaign against illicit trade and economic sabotage in Central Luzon.

Appropriate charges are being prepared against the respondents.