Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
Seven people were arrested after police confiscated alleged counterfeit cigarettes worth about Php 13.4 million during an operation in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.
The operation was carried out on July 12 in Barangay San Luis by personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Misamis Oriental and Camiguin Provincial Field Unit, with assistance from other police units in the province.
Authorities arrested six men and one woman and recovered 335 master cases of assorted cigarettes believed to be counterfeit.
Moreover, three vehicles that were allegedly used to transport the illegal tobacco products were impounded.
The suspects are facing complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said authorities would continue pursuing operations against illicit trade to protect consumers and legitimate businesses while upholding the rule of law.
The PNP said the operation formed part of its continuing campaign against economic crimes, with intelligence-driven enforcement aimed at curbing illicit trade and protecting legitimate businesses across the country.