AGENTS of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) yesterday seized some P1.2 billion worth of fake cigarettes and production equipment and rescued 155 trafficked persons in a raid at a warehouse in Bgy. Moranquillo, San Rafael, Bulacan.

A Chinese national named Wu Qilong alias “Ronald/Tony,” 30, was arrested during the operation.

PNP-CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said Bulacan has been tagged as an alleged main hub for the production of counterfeit cigarettes being distributed in the province and its nearby areas, including Metro Manila.

Operatives of the CIDG- Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Unit (AFCCU), Provincial Field Unit – Bulacan and the San Rafael police, together with representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 5 (BIR 5) and Caloocan led by Wrenolph Panganiban, in coordination with the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) stormed the fake cigarette production facility on the strength of BIR Mission Order dubbed “Oplan Olea.”

Confiscated were New Berlin Cigarette finished 116,700 packs and 1,750,000 sticks; New Two Moon menthol cigarette finished 182,000 packs and 5,000 sticks; Dunston Red cigarette finished product 100; Modern cigarette finished product 1,100 packs and 22,500 sticks; RGD Red cigarette finished product 100 packs; Champion Mild menthol cigarette finished product 234 packs; Richman Royal cigarette finished product 800 packs; Carnival Menthol cigarette finished product 620 packs; Fort Menthol cigarette finished product 370 packs; Soda Red cigarette finished product 1,300 packs; tobacco small 373 sacks; tobacco big 47 sacks; tobacco 178 boxes raw; cigarette filter 5,244,000 sticks; cigarette paper 1,005 rolls;

filter paper 800 rolls; cigarette foil 659 rolls; thousands of lid blank raw materials; thousands of ream/cartoons; hundreds of cigarette pack plastic roll wraps; Cannon Menthol Cigarette finish product 150 packs; 45 glue containers; cigarette making machines; and cigarette packing machines.

Rescued during the raid were 155 persons illegally working in the manufacturing plant.

Authorities said the raided illegal manufacturing plant can produce 12.9 million of sticks per day or 1,300 to 1,500 mastercase per day, with an estimated value of P45 million a day.

The arrested Chinese national will be charged with tax evasion and violations of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code and RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364 also known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

“This successful operation highlights our firm’s commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals and jeopardize public safety. The CIDG is determined to ensure that no one is above the law,” Torre said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon