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Chinese nat’l, 2 others nabbed for fake cigarettes

February 11, 2023 Steve A. Gosuico 803 views

CABANATUAN CITY – A Chinese national and two others were apprehended in separate operations in Nueva Ecija, which resulted in confiscating several boxes of suspected fake cigarettes with a total worth of P360,000, it was reported.

In Zaragosa, police head Major Ronnie G. Caagbay said those nabbed were a Chinese national from Quanzhou City, Fujian province, China, residing at Bgy. Aduas, this city, and a 31-year-old driver, of Bgy. Palina, Nagcarlan, Laguna.

After being flagged down, the suspects, who were riding a white Toyota Grandia van, drove past a police anti-criminality checkpoint along the Sta. Rosa-Zaragosa Road in Bgy. Carmen, forced lawmen to give chase until they were cornered and questioned for an initial violation of Article 151 for disobedience.

However, during the inspection, authorities discovered inside the vehicle some 20 boxes of H&P cigarettes worth about P240,000, allegedly without proper documentation.

Provincial police head Col. Richard V. Caballero said the contraband was immediately seized, and the arrested suspects were brought to the police station for booking and custodial investigation.

In Talavera, police led by Lt. Col. Ranny G. Casilla conducted an operation against the illegal selling of fake cigarettes in Bgy. San Pascual at 11:50 p.m. Friday, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old vendor, who was caught in possession of 13 boxes containing 650 reams of Astro cigarettes worth P120,000.

Separate criminal complaints for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003) and RA 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) are now being prepared for inquest filing against the suspects before the provincial prosecutor’s office here.

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