OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized P2.4 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes during raids in Bulacan and Valenzuela City on Wednesday and Thursday.
Several individuals were arrested during the raids, including six foreign nationals who were identified by their aliases as Yanliang, Rock, Zizhan, Zili, Ziqiang, and Wu.
“They now face charges related to tax evasion, intellectual property violations, and human trafficking, among other crimes,” the CIDG said in a statement.
In Bulacan, CIDG operatives, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), raided a factory described as a “main hub for illegal production of counterfeit cigarettes which were then distributed to Valenzuela.”
The operation led to the seizure of P12.24 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes, production machinery and raw materials.
One of the five foreign nationals, Wu, was nabbed during the raid.
“Additionally, 155 trafficked individuals were rescued from the illegal plant,” the CIDG said.
Follow-up operations led to the seizure of P1.15 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes during raids in Valenzuela, the CIDG said.
The five other foreign nationals — Yanliang, Rock, Zizhan, Zili and Ziqiang — were arrested during the operations in Valuenzuela.
The arrested suspects are currently under the custody of the CIDG “for documentation and further legal processing.”
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said: “This successful operation highlights our firm commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals and jeopardize public safety.”
“The CIDG is determined to ensure that no one is above the law,” added Torre.
