Crackdown continues on fake cigarettes

Government agents relentlessly continue to plug tax leakages through enforcement as police and barangay officials in Quezon, Isabela recently arrested a fake cigarettes dealer for selling reams of counterfeit Mighty and Marvels to a sari

sari store. The Bureau of Internal Revenue and law enforcement agencies have been vigilant against dealers of fake products over the past few months as these are not tax- paid and elude contribution to the country’s economy.

The store sought assistance from the barangay hall and tanods after a dealer tried to sell cartons of suspicious cigarettes to the storeowner.

Apprehended was a certain Arnel Contado Altavano, 33, who was selling fake Mighty and Marvels menthol and full flavor variants to the sari-sari store.

A Mighty Corp. representative confirmed the cigarette variants were counterfeit.

The suspect was arrested and subsequently turned over to the Philippine National Police station in Quezon town for violating Section 155, in relation to Section 170, of Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code, which became the basis for filing of a criminal case docketed as INQ-II-042016G- 00036 and Criminal Case 16214 at 12th MCTC Malling, Quezon, Isabela.

The suspect, however, was released from police custody after posting a P 10,000 bail bond.

Tax officials have repeatedly warned counterfeiters, individuals and business establishments against the sale and distribution of fake cigarettes or any products for that matter.

The Bureau of Customs, BIR, NBI, PNP and Mighty Corp. representatives continue to arrest unscrupulous individuals and businesses for selling counterfeit cigarettes in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cabanatuan and various parts of Visayas and Mindanao, among others.