2 held for fake cigarettes at COVID-19 checkpoint
SAN JOSE CITY – The city’s intensified implementation of COVID-19 quarantine checkpoints has led to the arrest of two men who were caught transporting suspected fake cigarettes aboard a tricycle on Wednesday morning here.
Nabbed were Alvin Lucero, 26, a native of Bgy. Villa Nati, Science City of Muňoz and a resident of Zone 5A, Bliss, Bgy. Malasin, this city, and Larry Tumbaga, 27, tricycle driver, of Zone 9, Bgy. Kita-Kita, this city.
Their arrests were made amid orders from City Mayor Mario “Kokoy” Salvador to intensify barangay quarantine checkpoints due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the city.
City police head Lt. Col. Criselda Y. De Guzman said the two suspects were turned over to them after barangay authorities apprehended them in a quarantine checkpoint along Zone 1, Bgy. Manicla at 10:15 a.m. here.
De Guzman said the two suspects who were aboard a blue Kawasaki Bajaj tricycle were allegedly uncooperative and evasive during questioning after being flagged down at the said checkpoint.
During inspection, the suspects were found to be in possession of several reams of suspected fake cigarettes worth more than P4,410.
The seized items consisted of 21 reams of assorted brands of D & B cigarettes, Mighty, and Two Moon cigarettes.
Corporal Elmer Macapagal Jr., officer-on-case, said the two suspects just came from Talavera where the contraband was sourced and were on their way to Lucero’s house in Bgy. Malasin when they were apprehended.
Separate charges for disobedience upon agents of a person in authority and violation of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) are set to be filed against the suspects before the city prosecutor’s office here.
