SMUGGLED. CIDG members nab two suspects involved in the selling and distribution of smuggled cigarettes in an entrapment in Pulilan, Bulacan on Oct. 26, 2022. Authorities seized PHP6.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during the operation. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)
MANILA – Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested two suspects for selling smuggled cigarettes in the province of Bulacan, a top police official said Friday.
CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said suspects Frederick Santos and Reymar de Guzman were nabbed in an entrapment operation inside a warehouse at an industrial park in Barangay Dampol II in Pulilan town on Oct. 26.
The operation stemmed from a complaint by a tobacco company that received information that the suspects were involved in the sale and distribution of fake/smuggled cigarettes within Bulacan and nearby provinces.
The suspects yielded one PHP50 bill used as marked money, 100 pieces computerized PHP1,000 bill, 94 master cases of cigarettes with a total estimated market value of PHP6.5 million, a white L300 van, and a white Toyota Hiace van
They are now facing violation of Article 189 of the Revised Penal Code, Violation of Republic Act (RA) 7394, known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, RA 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and RA 1937 Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
The arrested suspects were brought to the CIDG Bulacan field unit for further investigation, proper disposition, and filing of appropriate criminal charges before the Bulacan Provincial Prosecutors Office in Malolos City. (PNA)
