6 arrested for fake cigarette labels

CUSTOMS SEIZURE Customs officials present to media on Thursday the fake cigarette labels and printing materials seized during a raid on a warehouse in Valenzuela City. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Authorities arrested six men for alleged involvement in the printing of fake cigarette labels during a raid on a warehouse in Valenzuela City on Tuesday.

They also seized illegally imported printing machines, cutting machines used for printing unauthorized cigarette pack labels and carton labels from the warehouse of Michel Printing Services on Maysan Road and A. Cantillon Street.

The labels bore the brands of Fortune, Mark, Hope, More and Jackpot.

Combined personnel from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard, local police and local government conducted the raid after receiving information that the warehouse could be involved in the smuggling of fake cigarette labels and packaging. They were accompanied by representatives from Phillip Morris and Japan Tobacco International.

Arrested were Kevin Tan, Alex Chan, James Sy, Tin Fu, a certain Tonyo and Michael Jamora. A criminal case was filed against them for violation of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Representatives from PMFTC Inc., a joint venture of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. and Fortune Tobacco Corp., confirmed that the pack and carton labels seized by the raiders were fake. —TINA G. SANTOS