PLARIDEL, Bulacan — Two Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday in an entrapment on Bypass Road, Bgy. Bulihan here, for repacking and reselling smuggled cigarettes worth more than P8 million.
In a report to CIDG Regional 3 chief Col. Jovit Culaway by CIDG provincial officer Lt. Colk. Dave Mahilum, the suspects arrested in “Oplan Megashopper” were truck helper Cai Shi Chuan, 39, of Bulatok Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; and truck driver Chen Peirong, 42, of 1227 Mayon Street, Quezon City. Both suspects are natives of Fujian, China.
Mahilum said the operation was conducted after the management of Phillip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation or PMFTC INC filed a complaint against the alleged illegal repacking and reselling of their products.
Confiscated from the two suspects were 260 cartons of Modern cigarettes (with 50 reams in each carton) and five cartons Fortune cigarettes worth at least P2,675,000; a P1,000 marked money and boodle money; a White Isuzu Elf Truck; and another container truck containing 535 boxes of Modern cigarettes worth P5,350,000.
As a backgrounder, said operation stemmed from the information provided by a confidential informant that subject personalities were involved in nefarious activities by selling/distribution of fake/smuggled cigarettes in Bulacan.
The suspects, who will be charged with violations of Art. 189 of the Revised Penal Code, RA 7394, RA 8293 and RA 1937, were taken to CIDG Bulacan PFU for further investigation and proper disposition.
