CLARK FREEPORT – An estimated P1 billion worth of raw tobacco materials and other items were seized in this Freeport following an operation led by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Security Services Group (SSG).

Reports received by Manuel Gaerlan, CDC president, said some 300 sacks of dried tobacco leaves, 1,470,000 pieces of invalid light blue Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps, 147,000 pieces of invalid green BIR stamps, counterfeit tobacco products and trademarks placed in boxes, and equipment used for manufacturing cigarettes were found inside an aluminum truck-van with plate number RKY 632.

The said vehicle, driven by Efren Taconto, was apprehended by CDC Public Safety Department officers as it tried to ship out illegal and counterfeit tobacco products without shipping documents.

A certain Jaime Go, also known as Jaime Tiu, is believed to be the operations manager of the group identified by the Philippine National Police unit as “Wendel Criminal group” whose members are engaged in several illegal activities.

These activities include the distribution of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes as well as shipping of raw materials used in making cigarettes worth millions of pesos.

Go or Tiu is said to be maintaining a warehouse at Golden Leaf Antiques and Prudence Development and Management Corporation here.

Meanwhile, others involved in the big-time operation are already in custody and will face charges for the violation of National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

Under this law, internal revenue officers shall have authority to make arrests and seizures for the violation of any penal law, rule or regulation administered by the BIR. Any person so arrested shall be forthwith brought before a court, there to be dealt with according to law.

They will also face other penalties and sanctions for violating Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

According to CDC Vice President for SSG PBGen. Sheldon G. Jacaban (Ret), all contents were seized and complaints were already filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Pampanga against the suspects.

The investigation report also revealed that four companions of Taconto were involved in the said scheme.

Two of the drivers, namely Sammy Molina and Rechie Aminion, are residents of Mabalacat City while two others, Ryan Tilanduca and Danny Martizano, are from Quezon City and Valenzuela City, respectively.

An estimated tax amounting to P220 million should have been paid to the government.