MANILA – The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has confiscated PHP2.4 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes and smuggling equipment in a two-day operation conducted in Valenzuela City and San Rafael, Bulacan, an official said Thursday.
In a news release, CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Unit (AFCCU), in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), carried out the raids on November 6-7 that led to the seizure of various brands of illicit cigarettes and an extensive array of cigarette manufacturing equipment.
He said the operation, carried out under the authority of BIR Mission Order No. MS0201700024179, focused on Bulacan, allegedly the main hub for the illegal production of counterfeit cigarettes, which were then distributed to Valenzuela.
Torre said several individuals were arrested, including foreign nationals identified as alias “Yanliang,” “Rock,” “Zizhan,” “Zili,” and “Ziqiang,” who were arrested in Valenzuela, and “WU” in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, 155 trafficked individuals were rescued from the illegal factory in San Rafael, Bulacan, considered a large-scale illegal manufacturing and distribution operation.
The operation also revealed the illicit plant’s capacity to produce an estimated 12.9 million cigarettes daily, valued at approximately PHP 45 million per day.
The total market value of the confiscated items in the plant, including production machinery and raw materials, was estimated at PHP 1.24 billion.
Meanwhile, authorities confiscated a significant amount of illicit cigarette brands valued at an estimated PHP 1.158 billion in three separate operations in Valenzuela.
The arrested suspects were transferred to the AFCCU for documentation and further legal processing, while all confiscated evidence remains under the temporary custody of the BIR.
Torre said charges for violations under Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (as amended by RA 10364), and RA 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) were being prepared against the suspects.
“This successful operation highlights our firm 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 – dahil ang gusto ng pulis, ligtas ka (because the police want you to be safe),” Torre said. (PNA)