Seven people were arrested and an estimated P13.4 million worth of suspected counterfeit cigarettes were seized in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, on July 12.
The operation was conducted from about 3:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Barangay San Luis by personnel from the CIDG Misamis Oriental-Camiguin Provincial Field Unit, Provincial Intelligence Team-Misamis Oriental, Misamis Oriental 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and local police units.
Authorities confiscated 335 master cases of assorted cigarettes bearing the brands Canon Menthol, Green Hills, Bosqu, Casablanca, Champion and Castorce. Three vehicles allegedly used to transport the products were also impounded.
According to a report submitted to CIDG Director PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, those arrested were six men and one woman of legal age from Iligan, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga and Pagadian.
Police said the suspects were allegedly transporting and possessing cigarettes without the graphic health warnings required by law. The products were also believed to be counterfeit and to carry trademarks or brand names without authorization from their owners.
The operation was launched following a report from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation about the alleged transport of counterfeit or trademark-infringing cigarettes in Barangay San Luis.
The suspects may face charges for violations of laws covering counterfeit goods, trademark infringement and tobacco packaging requirements.
Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, requires tobacco product packages to display picture-based warnings about the health risks of smoking.
Morico said the operation was part of the CIDG’s campaign against the distribution and transport of illicit tobacco products.
The CIDG also commended PLTCOL Jerome Jay S. Ragonton, officer-in-charge of Regional Field Unit 10, and PMAJ Dan Junson V. Espinosa, provincial chief of the Misamis Oriental-Camiguin field unit, for leading the operation.