By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Thursday confiscated PHP15 million worth of substandard cigarettes and arrested three persons in an entrapment operation in Davao Del Sur.
In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspects identified as Christian, Ibrahim and Rodel, were caught unloading and transferring the assorted brands of cigarettes from a motorized boat to the two waiting vans in Barangay Baybay in Malalag town.
Aside from the 600 master cases of cigarettes, the operatives seized one closed van, one wing van truck, and one boat with an estimated value of PHP6 million.
The suspects will be charged before the National Prosecution Service under Republic Act 10643 (The Graphic Health Warnings Law) for selling tobacco products without labels and packages that do not contain “graphic health warnings”.
Torre said the CIDG is steadfast and relentless in enforcing all laws and will catch all violators.
“We urge the public to report to us all violations of law and all forms of criminalities in your localities, and your CIDG will do the rest,” Torre said. (PNA)
