COPS RAID ILLEGAL CIGARETTE FACTORY IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

A JOINT law enforcement operation led by the Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) on Thursday led to the discovery of a suspected counterfeit cigarette processing plant at the Global Aseana Business Park 1 in Bgy. Dela Paz,  San Simon, Pampanga.

Based on a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Penones Jr. by Pampanga police director Col. Eugene M. Marcelo, the raid was conducted in response to the  Customs Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). 

Raided was a warehouse located at Blk. 15, L1, Global Aseana Business Park 1, Quezon Road, San Simon.

Members of the Pampanga Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), the BOC, the Regional Intelligence Division 3 (RID 3), San Simon Police Station, RIU 3, 1st and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Companies, Pampanga Police Provincial Office, Regional Special Operations Group 3 and barangay officials of Dela Paz implemented the LOA.

Marcelo said upon entry into the warehouse premises, operatives discovered several large sacks of tobacco raw materials and ground tobacco substances. 

Further inspection of the facility led to the discovery of nine large industrial machines with an estimated value of P115 million.

An initial assessment showed that some of the machines are used for drying while others are for grinding tobacco raw materials or equipment commonly associated with cigarette manufacturing operations.

Authorities are investigating to determine possible violations of customs laws and other applicable regulations related to the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit cigarettes.

Further inventory and documentation of the seized materials and equipment are ongoing as part of the case build-up against individuals who may be responsible for the illegal operation.