P200 million fake cigarettes seized in Nueva Ecija
MANILA, Philippines — At least 17 Chinese citizens were arrested and counterfeit cigarettes as well as tax stamps and raw materials worth around P200 million were seized at a warehouse in Gapan, Nueva Ecija over the weekend.
The suspects – 16 men and a woman – were turned over to the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Immigration yesterday.
Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said they conducted the operation after receiving reports that the warehouse produces up to 400 master cases of counterfeit cigarettes a day, which are packed as Jackpot, Champion and Mighty.
Gapan Mayor Emerson Pascual said the owner of the warehouse, identified as a certain Chito Baronza of Metro Manila, did not secure a business permit.
Filemon Yogi Ruiz of the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service said the warehouse and its workers had been under surveillance for three weeks. – Raymund Catindig
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