Illegal cigarette manufacturing: 9 Chinese, 4 locals arrested in Negros
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BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — A cigarette manufacturing operation in a warehouse at Purok Rosas, Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, was discovered, and nine Chinese nationals and four Filipinos were arrested on Tuesday, April 21, the police said.
A 10th Chinese national remains at large.
The discovery was made during an inspection conducted by the Bago City Permit and Licensing Office in the warehouse of rice trader LT Besañes at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
The operation was headed by Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region operatives with support from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, local police units, Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence, and the National Tobacco Administration. It led to the discovery of equipment believed to be used in the production of illegal cigarettes.
READ: P25-million smuggled cigarettes seized in Negros Occidental raid
Discovered were three loader machines, three packaging machines and assorted paraphernalia used in the manufacturing of illegal cigarettes, the police said.
A request was made to BIR Revenue Region No. 12 in Bacolod City for inventory and markings for documentation and proper disposition.
On Tuesday afternoon Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, the police, and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), led an inspection of a warehouse allegedly used to store raw materials for illicit cigarette production in Barangay Alijis here.
Discovered were thousands of boxes of packaging materials and other paraphernalia estimated to be worth millions of pesos, the Bacolod City Communications Office reported.
“We commend the PNP and other agencies for their continued efforts to apprehend illegal activities in our area,” Gasataya said.
The discovery was linked to an earlier operation in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, where 13 individuals were arrested and equipment used for cigarette production was confiscated.
Upon receiving the report, the mayor and BPLO personnel immediately conducted an inspection of the warehouse, leading to the discovery of stockpiled raw materials.
“On the part of the city, we will provide full support to prevent activities that harm public health and the local business sector. We assure the people of Bacolod that there will be no letup in going after these illegal operations,” Gasataya added.
BCPO Officer-in-Charge Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia said authorities are still verifying information regarding the possible owner or renter of the warehouse.
“We are currently validating information and gathering data to identify those involved,” Rebadomia said. /cb
