Authorities confiscated about ₱2.2 million worth of illegal cigarettes during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Monica, San Simon, recently.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Pampanga Provincial Field Unit said the contraband was seized from two suspects — a 60-year-old driver from Tondo, Manila, and a 40-year-old helper from Lubao, Pampanga.
The two were allegedly selling cigarettes sans graphic health warnings on the packages.
The haul consisted of 52 master cases containing 50 reams each. The items allegedly lack the mandated warnings, with the value based on minimum selling prices.
Authorities said the suspects will be charged in court for violating Section 6 of Republic Act 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Act) and Article 94 of Republic Act 7394 (Philippine Consumer Act).
During the arrest, operatives also discovered equipment and materials allegedly used for repacking cigarettes.
The equipment include sealing machines, filter paper, tipping paper, packaging materials, label tape, empty master cases, and two desktop computers.
The CIDG said the operation was coordinated with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Regional Investigation Division.
The suspects are detained at the CIDG Pampanga facility pending the filing of charges before the Pampanga Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation, codenamed Oplan Megashopper, was conducted by CIDG Pampanga in coordination with the San Simon Municipal Police Station the Philippine Tobacco Institute.
