DAVAO CITY (August 22) — The Bureau of Customs on Friday, August 17, arrested 17 Chinese nationals caught manufacturing “fake” cigarettes inside a warehouse in Balmonte St. Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
The raid took place after a concerned citizen informed authorities about the activities inside a warehouse.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the foreigners were caught red handed while manufacturing ‘fake’ cigarettes such as Marvel, Fortune, Jackpot and Mighty.
Lapeña said they conducted a three-week surveillance after receiving the information.
The Estimated street value of the confiscated cigarettes and machines is pegged at P200-million.
On Monday, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, Gapan City Mayor Emerson Pascual, together with Gapan Chief of Police P/Supt. Peter Madria inspected the warehouse and found the machines and other equipment used in manufacturing fake cigarettes.
The warehouse was manned by Chinese nationals. Authorities found fake cigarettes, fake cigarette tax stamps, raw tobacco and cigarette-making machines.
Pascual thanked the BoC for conducting the raid saying his government will not allow any illegal activities to thrive in the area.
The arrested foreigners are now under the custody of the Gapan PNP.
Lapeña said the BoC will file cases against the suspects for violating the Intellectual Property Code of the country.-hvp/NewsLine