CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Five suspects were arrested while P1.58-million worth of counterfeit cigarettes were seized in a buy-bust operations conducted by operatives of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office intelligence unit and the Mexico Municipal Police Station in Barangay Anao, Mexico on Aug. 17.
The operation was prompted by reports that of widespread trading of illicit cigarettes in the area.
Seized from the five suspects were 31 master cases of Golden Leaf cigarettes estimated at P1,581,000, including the cigarettes used in the buy-bust; 24 pieces of P1,000 boodle money; one Hyundai H100 and one Mitsubishi L300 van used in the transaction.
The suspects were taken to the custody of Mexico MPS for proper documentation while the confiscated evidence were taken to the Pampanga PIU for processing and documentation.
Cases for violation of RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) and RA 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law) are being prepared against the suspects.
“Patuloy na paiigtingin ng Pampanga Police Provincial Office ang mga operasyon laban sa ilegal na kalakalan at pagbebenta ng mga produktong lumalabag sa batas upang maprotektahan ang mga mamimili at mapanatili ang kaayusan sa buong lalawigan,” enthused Pampanga police director Col. Ricardo M. David, as he commended the operating team for their accomplishment. Punto News Team/Pampanga PNP
