Fake cigarette factory found in Bulacan

Government operatives raided a factory producing fake cigarettes in Bulacan on Thursday, the Department of Finance (DOF) reported yesterday.

Two cigarette makers, packing and sealing equipment as well as boxes of fake tax stamps, filter rods, packaging materials, filter papers and other raw materials were among those recovered by agents of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Business Permit and Licensing Office of Guiguinto in Barangay Rabe.

Authorities said the establishment, which was initially reported to be a warehouse, was manufacturing fake Mighty brand cigarettes and products of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. Inc.

“PMFTC representatives were at the site to issue the required PNP certifications that products found...are counterfeit and the facility… was not an authorized factory of the PMFTC,” authorities said.

Personnel of the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs were tasked to secure the machines and goods as well as investigate the perpetrators.

Only the wife of a Chinese citizen, said to be the owner of the factory, and around 700 workers were present during the raid.

It was the second factory of fake cigarettes found in Bulacan since November. The other factory was discovered at the Meycauayan Industrial Park after it was razed by fire.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines Inc., the manufacturer of Mighty brands, commended the government for the raid.

JTI Philippines acquired Mighty Corp. for P46.8 billion, exclusive of valueadded tax, last year after the firm was embroiled in controversy for allegedly selling cigarette packs with fake tax stamps.