COPS INTERCEPT P900K FAKE CIGARETTES AT NUEVA ECIJA CHECKPOINT

BY KEVIN GALANG

AUTHORITIES on Wednesday intercepted some P900,000 worth of counterfeit cigarettes and arrested several suspects during intensified checkpoint operations in Nueva Ecija.

Members of the General Mamerto Natividad Police Station manning a checkpoint flagged down a Hyundai Starex van and a white utility reefer van in Bgy. Mataas na Kahoy. 

Operatives inspected the vehicles  and found 97 boxes of “More” cigarettes and three boxes of “Marvel Red” cigarettes, all without permits or legal documents.

Five mobile phones allegedly used in the illicit trade were also confiscated.

Police said the suspects, all Chinese nationals, are now under custody and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. commended the swift action of the checkpoint team, noting that such operations protect consumers from counterfeit goods and uphold fair business practices.

“Through proactive measures such as checkpoints and intelligence-driven interventions, we are able to protect our people from the dangers of counterfeit products while safeguarding the integrity of legitimate businesses,” Peñones said.

The Central Luzon top cop said the operation was carried out under the Employing Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy of acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

PRO3 assured the public that similar initiatives will continue in line with the PNP’s 7 Focus Agenda to strengthen peace and security in Central Luzon.