P45K fake cigarettes seized in Ecija
SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – Six persons, including a minor, caught transporting counterfeit cigarettes worth P45,000 in three kolong-kolongs (motorcycles with improvised sidecar) were apprehended during checkpoint operations conducted here on Wednesday.
Police identified those arrested as Jonathan Santiago, 29; Jimboy Aronce, 27; Louie Aronce, 24; Joenel Navarro, 24; Melanie Reyes, 24, all of Bgy. San Francisco, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.
They were flagged down during an anti-criminality checkpoint in Bgy. Tabon at 6:20 p.m.
Upon inspection, the suspects were found transporting a total of 166 reams of suspected fake cigarettes with an estimated total worth of P45,000.
Seized were 55 reams of Two Moons cigarettes, 66 reams of D&B, 20 reams of Richman Royal, 15 reams of Double Happiness, five reams of Dunston and five reams of Marlboro.
Police said proper coordination with the offices of the DTI and BIR will be undertaken for technical assistance while charges for violations of Republic Act 8293 in relation to Republic Act 8424 as amended are being prepared for filing against the arrested suspects.
