Smuggled Counterfeit Cigarettes Entering in Zambales Intercepted by Authorities
Local authorities intercepted counterfeit cigarettes allegedly worth P1 million and supposed to be smuggled in the province of Zambales.
In a buy-bust operation on the Zambales-Tarlac Road in Botolan yesterday, authorities seized counterfeit cigarettes worth more over one million pesos. It is estimated that there are 30 boxes or 305 reams of counterfeit cigarettes worth P1,195,400, including Two Moon, Mighty, and Fortune.
It was discovered in two vans, and the couple Joryson and Melody Tawatao, 43, as well as their associates Marlon Garcia, 42, and Felipe Valdez, 39, were arrested. The four are being held at the Botolan Municipal Police Station and will be charged with intellectual property rights violations.
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A shipment containing a “leopard gecko” from Thailand was intercepted by BOC-Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) officials in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). According to the BOC, the abovementioned parcel arrived at the Paircargo warehouse without the required import permit from the DENR.
As a result, it was subjected to a thorough physical examination, which revealed a live Leopard Gecko valued at P20,000.00. The lizard is a protected species under the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and Republic Act (RA) No. 9147, also known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, according to the DENR.
Violation of RA 9147 carries a penalty of up to four (4) years in prison and a fine of up to P300,000.00. For violations of Section 1113 of RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Section 11 of RA 9147, the seized leopard gecko would be submitted to seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
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