Malabon: The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Tuesday its operatives arrested a Chinese national for trading around PHP2 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes during an operation in Malabon City.
According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III stated that the suspect, identified as Ziqiang, was apprehended for selling cigarettes without proper authorization from the trademark owner at Orange Road in Potrero on May 23. This operation is part of a broader initiative targeting individuals involved in the manufacturing and trading of counterfeit items and the illicit tobacco trade nationwide.
Authorities confiscated 33 master cases of purported counterfeit and trademark-infringing Marlboro Gold Nise and Luxury cigarettes, valued at approximately PHP2 million. Maj. Gen. Torre emphasized the significance of this operation in their continuous battle against counterfeit products and violations of the Intellectual Property Code.
The suspect is facing charges for violating Section 155 (Trademark Infringement) and Section 168 (Unfair Trade Competition); in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) for selling and trading trademark-infringing cigarettes.
In a related development, Torre reported that the CIDG Camarines Sur Provincial Field Unit, in collaboration with the Pamplona Municipal Police Station, conducted operations against 'paihi' or illegal trading of petroleum products in Brgy. Tambo, Pamplona, Camarines Sur on May 22. During this operation, law enforcement arrested the driver of a fuel truck tanker, identified as Levi, and a businessman named Danny.
Authorities seized a fuel tanker truck containing 20,000 liters of petroleum products and 18 plastic containers, each filled with 20 liters of 'paihi' products, with an estimated value of PHP1 million. The apprehended suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service for violating Section 2 (a) BP 33 as amended by Presidential Decree 1865, which pertains to the illegal trading of petroleum products, an act inimical to public interest and national security.
