P1-M smuggled, fake cigarettes seized in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -Joint operatives recovered close to PHP1-million worth of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in a series of operations in two public markets and a warehouse here Thursday.

Armed with 12 search warrants, elements of the city police and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) swooped in on several stalls before noon at the city’s main and Lagao public markets and a warehouse along Cagampang St.

The warrants, which were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Judge Oscar Noel, were for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Intellectual Property Code.

Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, city police director, said the operations resulted in the recovery of at least 108 boxes of smuggled and fake cigarettes.

At the public markets, he said they found several stalls selling various brands of cigarettes that did not have government-issued tax stamps.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1047974