P1.1B worth of fake cigarettes confiscated in Cebu; 4 Chinese arrested

The Philippine National Police on Saturday said it has busted a large-scale illegal cigarette operation in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Four Chinese nationals and one Filipino were arrested.

Over P1.1 billion worth of fake cigarettes and manufacturing equipment were confiscated by police operatives.

Armed with a search warrant, authorities went to a warehouse in an industrial park inn Barangay Basak on Friday.

The said warehouse contained thousands of boxes of fake cigarettes with suspected falsified tax stamps, machines, and raw materials.

The four Chinese and one Filipino arrested were placed under police custody.

The suspects will face charges for falsification and use of falsified documents under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code.

PNP chief Police Generall Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation just goes to show that they have intensified efforts to shut down illegal manufacturing activities, as part of the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, in support of the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen law enforcement and protect legitimate industries.

“Hindi natin palalagpasin ang ganitong kalaking operasyon. Malinaw na panlilinlang ito hindi lang sa gobyerno kundi sa mamamayan. We will go after those who think they can hide behind warehouses and illegal schemes,” Nartatez said.

(We will not let big operations like this to get off the hook. It is a clear deception not only of the government but also of the citizenry.)

“Sa mga negosyante at mamimili, maging mapanuri tayo. Kapag masyadong mura o kahina-hinala ang produkto, malamang ilegal ito. Huwag nating tangkilikin ang ganitong gawain dahil lahat tayo ang naaapektuhan,” Nartatez added.

(To businessmen and consumers, be very vigilant. If an item is so cheap or dubious, it might be illegal. Let us now patronize these kinds of activities because all of us will be affected.) —KG, GMA News