Due to the proliferation of the selling of smuggled cigarettes in Lanao del Norte, the operatives of the CIDG Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit led by Provincial Officer PMAJ FREDDIE C ZORILLA together with CIDG Regional Field Unit 10 – RSOT, Balo-i MPS, and 1st PMFC Lanao del Norte conducted police operation against smuggled cigarette vendors at Balo-i Public Market, Lanao del Norte on May 30, 2022 at 4:44 in the afternoon.
A personnel of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC) was also present in the police operation.
Nader Disocor y Carim, a cigarette vendor in Balo-i Public Market was caught in flagrante delicto selling different brands of smuggled cigarettes such as San Marino, Champion, Gift, Eight, Twins, Union, Hero and Berlin. Apparently, the cigarettes sold by the Nader Disocor y Carim have no graphic health warnings printed on the cigarette packs which is a clear violation of R.A. No. 10643 otherwise known as “An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products”. The Confiscated smuggled cigarettes has estimated total market value of 36,700.00 pesos .
The arrest of Nader Disocor y Carim has prompted the other cigarette vendors in the market to run in different directions and have evaded arrest leaving behind their stocks of smuggled cigarettes in assorted brands which also do not have graphic health warnings on the packs.
A case for violation of R.A. No. 10643 otherwise known as “An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products” will be filed against Nader Disocor y Carim. He is temporarily detained at the CIDG Iligan City Field Unit and the confiscated smuggled cigarettes were also brought to the said office for documentation and proper disposition.
The CIDG Lanao del Norte Provincial Officer stressed that the operation was launched as it is part of the CIDG’s Campaign against Smuggling, Manufacturing, Distribution and Trading of Counterfeited Items/Products also known as the OPLAN MEGA SHOPPER. He PMAJ ZORILLA also said that their office has received several reports regarding smuggled cigarettes which have greatly affected legitimate cigarette distributors in Lanao del Norte.
For information on smuggling and distribution of any counterfeit items/products, contact the CIDG through Mobile No. 0933-813-1433 and Email Address: [email protected].
