SELLING UNTAXED CIGARETTES SENDS ECIJA GROCERY OWNER TO JAIL

BY KEVIN GALANG

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Authorities arrested a  43-year-old grocery owner for allegedly engaging in the illegal sale of cigarettes without tax stamps, in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

A report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez by Nueva Ecija police director Col. Ritchie Claravall identified the suspect as alias “Banong,” of Bgy. San Felipe Matanda in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.

Joint operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) and the Cabanatuan City police conducted the arrest at the New Sangitan Market in Bgy. San Isidro.

The suspect was targeted following information that he was involved in the distribution of cigarettes without the required tax stamps. 

During the operation, an undercover officer acting as a poseur-buyer was able to purchase one ream of Modern Red Filter Cigarettes for P500, using marked money.

Following the transaction, the suspect was arrested and upon inspection, he yielded several boxes of cigarettes including 50 reams of Modern Red Filter Cigarettes, Modern Lights Filter Cigarettes, Modern Black Filter Cigarettes, and FS Filter Cigarettes as well as four reams of Modern Red Filter Cigarettes without tax stamps.

The total estimated value of the seized items was placed at around P118,320.

Charges for violation of Section 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) in relation to Section 145 (Cigars and Cigarettes) of the NIRC were filed against the arrested grocery owner.