6 arrested for making fake cigarettes in Valenzuela

Customs agents on Thursday arrested five Chinese nationals and a Filipino for their alleged involvement in the manufacture of fake cigarettes.

Armed with a Letter of Authority, the Customs team, together with police and local government officials, inspected the warehouse at Michel Printing Services on Maysan Road corner A. Cantillon Street in Valenzuela City for possible violation of Customs laws, rules, and regulations.

Representatives from Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. and Fortune Tobacco Corporation and Japan Tobacco International joined the inspection.

The Bureau of Customs identified the foreigners as Kevin Tan, Alex Chan, James Sy, Tin Fu, and one alias Tonyo, as well as one Filipino identified as Michael Jamora.

Authorities also seized machines used for printing fake cigarette labels and packaging.

Inside the warehouse, authorities found illegally imported printing machines, cutting machines used for printing unauthorized cigarette pack labels and carton labels bearing the brands Fortune, Mark, More, and Jackpot trademarks.

The suspects were charged for violating Republic Act 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and pertinent provisions of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The anti-smuggling operation was conducted after BOC received information that a certain warehouse in the area might be involved in smuggling of fake cigarette labels or packaging.

The arrested individuals were detained at the ESS-Port of Manila District Office.