The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) seized more than P32 million worth of fake cigarettes during an operation in Balagtas, Bulacan, on Sunday night.
In his report to PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar, CIDG chief Major Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said that four suspects, two of them Chinese, were also arrested during the raid at Barangay Borol, Balagtas.
The four suspects were identified as Zeng Qiangjian, 42; Lin Shanxiong, 48; John Bejay Agujar, 25; and Rodolfo Brosas, 25.
The operating team seized 27 cartons of Marlboro Lights cigarettes; six cartons of red Marlboro brand; 41 cartons of Marvel red; 26 cartons of Jackpot cigarettes; and 41 cartons of Union cigarettes.
Ferro said they also seized 15 cartons of Cambo cigarettes; 167 cartons of Fortune blue brand; 49 cartons of Mighty Green; 637 cartons of Two Moon cigarettes; 95 cartons of Fortune Green; and 244 cartons of D & AMP cigarettes.
Aside from the contraband, the operatives also recovered an Isuzu elf truck with plate no. CBJ 6630, some boodle money and P1,000.
Eleazar said the successful CIDG operation is a proof that the PNP remains focused on its law enforcement functions amid the pandemic.
The suspects will be charged for alleged violation of Article 189 of the Revised Penal Code, Violation of R.A. 7394 (The Consumer Act of the Philippines), R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) and R.A. 1937 (An Act to Revise and Codify the Tariff and Custom Law of the Philippines).