Crackdown on fake cigarettes continues

MANILA, Philippines - Customs and revenue agents, together with PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives, armed with search and arrest warrant, have held another storeowner for the sale of fake Mighty brand cigarettes in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Quezon City.

CIDG agents Ringo Medalla and Crisanto Carag arrested the owner of a store  in Speaker Perez street after he was caught in possession of fake Mighty Menthol soft pack and Mighty Full Flavor King Size variants following  the complaint of a Mighty Corp. representative.

The store owner was charged with violation of Section 155 in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code.

The warrant was issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 Judge Arthur Malabaguio.

Aside from the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, violators may also be held liable for violating Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Protection Act and the National Internal Revenue Code, whose penalties range from one year to 12 years imprisonment and fines of up to P200,000, or both.

Meanwhile, NBI-Cabanatuan District Office (CABDO) agents nabbed a Nueva Ecija distributor  for possession of large quantities of fake Mighty Full Flavor, Mighty Menthol 100s, Marvels Filter Kings and Marvels Menthol 100s.

The distributor was also charged with violation of Section 155 in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293 under a warrant issued by Cabanatuan City RTC Branch 26 Judge Johnmuel Romano Mendoza.

CIDG chief Police Director Victor Deona said the PNP remains vigilant against counterfeiters and warned individuals and business establishments against the sale and distribution of fake cigarettes.

 “These fake products hurt the economy because they are not tax-paid. This is why they are being sold very cheap. The CIDG is serious in its crackdown on these fake products. Retailers and vendors are warned not to sell or distribute these contraband because we are ready to charge them and throw them in jail,” Deona said. 

In earlier developments, CIDG arrested a woman at the Sta. Rita Public Market in Guiguinto, Bulacan for selling fake Mighty cigarettes.

Mighty along with Bureau of Customs, BIR, NBI and PNP authorities are in continuous pursuit of counterfeit traders as shown by its previous series of arrests in various parts of the country.