Contraband cigarettes were intercepted by police in Limay Bataan at midnight on Tuesday.
Reports reaching PNP Chief, Police General Debold M Sinas from Central Luzon PNP Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon said three suspects were arrested by joint personnel of 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company and Limay Municipal Police Station in coordination with representative from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI).
“The PNP fully supports all government efforts to protect the local industries against the proliferation of fake cigarettes which is unlawful.”, the Chief PNP said.
Citing the report, Sinas said the team intercepted a trailer truck in a police checkpoint at Roman Highway Brgy. Alangan, Limay, Bataan.
The truck was found to be loaded with 460 master cases of Marvels, D&B, Mithy and Tomon contraband cigarettes estimated to be worth Php9 Million.
The truck crew, ALBERTO GIANAN, 47, BENMARK CABUBAS, 30, and JUMAR VANIDAD, 34, were arrested and the trailer truck an its cargo was seized, after failing to present any pertinent documents regarding the contraband cigarettes.
Suspects were charged for violation of RA 8293 (Intellectual Property Rights)
“While the police are very much focused on its all -out war against illegal drugs, our personnel will continue to implement focused police operations to fight all forms of criminality and lawlessness”,PNP Chief Sinas said.
(PNP-PIO)
