More sellers of fake cigarettes fall

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 Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Quezon City.

CIDG agents Ringo C. Medalla and Crisanto P. Carag arrested Kevin Co Ong of King Co Store in Speaker Perez St. after he was caught in possession of fake Mighty Menthol soft pack and Mighty Full Flavor King Size variants through the complaint of a Mighty Corp. representative.

Ong 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 O. 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 1200,000, or both.

Meanwhile, NBI-Cabanatuan District Office (CABDO) agents nabbed Jeffrey De Guzman Castro, also known as Puroy De Guzman, of Esguerra Village, Brgy. Esguerra, Talavera, Nueva Ecija for possession of large quantities of fake Mighty Full Flavor, Mighty Menthol 100s, Marvels Filter Kings and Marvels Menthol 100s.

Like Ong, Castro 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 P. 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.