Tondo police arrest 2 men; seize 29 boxes of fake cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines — Two persons were arrested after police caught them carrying 29 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes worth P700,000 in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday evening.

Police identified the suspects as Julito Octing, 34, and Anthony Pano, 34.

Tondo police officers were conducting an anti-criminality operation when they saw a white L300 van with license plate PCO 370 parked along Capulong Street in Tondo, Manila.

Police apprehended the driver of the suspicious van when it tried to escape from the uniformed personnel.

Police’s Station Anti-Crime Unit foiled the escape. The van yielded 29 boxes of Mighty Marvels and Jackpot cigarettes without proper stamps from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The suspects were taken into custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 8293 or the Philippine Intellectual Property Code.