P32M worth of ‘fake’ cigarettes seized from 2 Chinese nationals in Bulacan
CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan—Two Chinese nationals and two Filipino companions were arrested during an entrapment operation after police allegedly recovered more than P32 million worth of smuggled and fake cigarettes from them, authorities said Tuesday, Oct. 5.
Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director, said Zeng Qiangjian and Lin Shanxiong were caught around 11 p.m. Sunday selling counterfeit cigarettes at a warehouse in Barangay San Juan, Balagtas town.
The two were arrested immediately, along with their cohorts identified as John Bejay Agujar and Rodolfo Brosas.
Cajipe said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Bulacan police, and representatives of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation and Japan Tobacco International Philippines Inc. carried out the operation.
Seized after the operation were 1,348 boxes of fake brands of cigarettes, an Elf truck, and the buy-bust money.
Cajipe said the suspects face charges of violating the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and tariffs, and customs laws. INQ
