2 Chinese men nabbed for ‘smuggling’ P16M fake cigarettes in Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS—Two Chinese nationals were arrested for allegedly smuggling P16-million worth of fake cigarettes during an entrapment operation in Plaridel town, Bulacan province on Wednesday, (Jan. 19), authorities said Friday.

Col. Dave Mahilum, director of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Bulacan, identified the suspects as Chen Peirong and Cai Shi Chuan.

The two were on board a closed van and traveling along Plaridel Bypass in Barangay Bulihan around 3: 40 p.m. when they were intercepted. The van was loaded with counterfeit Modern and Fortune cigarettes.

Two trailer trucks were tailing the suspects’ van carrying four 20-foot container vans loaded with more fake cigarettes.

Mahilum said the items came from a port in Mariveles town, Bataan province and were reportedly bound for a warehouse in Plaridel for distribution to dealers in Bulacan.

Reports said the barangay intelligence network in Bulihan helped the authorities track the illegal operation of the suspects.

The suspects were detained at the CIDG custodial facility in the City of Malolos and were charged with violating intellectual property rights, tariff and customs laws, consumer act law and other charges.