P5.5M in fake cigarettes, guns seized in Iloilo City

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 59-year-old Chinese national and a 31-year-old local resident were arrested in twin police operations for possession of more than P5.5 million worth of fake cigarettes.

James Chiu Chen, a Chinese national residing in Barangay Magsaysay, La Paz, Iloilo City, and Donnel Jeruta of Zone 2, Barrio Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City, were arrested on the evening of July 24 in Iloilo City.

Joint elements of the Regional Maritime Unit (RMU) 6’s 4th Special Operation Unit (SOU) headquarters tracker team and the Carles/EB Magalona SBC Support Unit – Iloilo Maritime Police Station, along with personnel from the Iloilo City Police Station, raided Jeruta’s residence at around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The raiding team acted on Search Warrant No. 39-17-2024 for violation of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines).

Judge Victorino Maniba of the Regional Trial Court Branch 39, Iloilo City, issued the search warrant.

Police recovered five boxes of fake Mighty cigarettes, three boxes of fake Camel cigarettes, and a box of assorted fake cigarettes.

Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido, RMU-6 regional director, estimated the value of the counterfeit cigarettes at around P540,000.

Police operatives also seized, through incidental search, a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber 9mm pistol (serial number AADV151), another caliber .45 pistol (serial number AEH576832), a 12-gauge shotgun, three gun cases, a Roni kit, several magazines for caliber 9mm and .45 pistols, an ammunition box, and assorted ammunition.

During his arrest, Jeruta revealed his alleged source.

A subsequent raid was conducted at Chen’s reported warehouse in Gregorio Subdivision, Barangay Lopez Jaena Sur, La Paz. Judge Maniba also issued the arrest warrant against alias Kuya Tan and Joy Tan Valencia.

When police arrived, Chen was alone inside the property.

Chen, who barely speaks Tagalog, was arrested after boxes of counterfeit cigarettes were recovered at the warehouse.

These included 15 boxes of Marvels, a box of Mighty, three boxes of Camel, five boxes of Winston, 14 boxes of Cannon Menthol, eight boxes of New Orleans, 17 boxes of Modern, three boxes of Farstar King Size, three boxes of J&J Menthol, eight boxes of Marlboro, and two boxes each of Fortune, Jackpot, and Mighty Red.

Provido said the 83 boxes of fake cigarettes have an estimated value of P4,980,000.

The Maritime police launched the operation following a complaint lodged by Japan Tobacco Inc., a leading global tobacco company operating in over 70 countries.

Its portfolio includes international brands such as Winston, Camel, and Mevius, as well as local brands Mighty and Marvels.

Provido said the investigation is ongoing, but authorities are not discounting the possibility that the cigarettes might have been smuggled through the back door.

“It’s possible they were smuggled through Mindanao. Because authorities are hot on their trails in Mindanao, they disposed of them in Iloilo,” he said.

Provido added that Chen’s group could have been operating for quite some time.

The Chinese national has allegedly been in the country for around five years. When asked for his passport, he failed to present any.

Both suspects will be charged with violation of Section 155.1 in relation to Section 170 of RA 8293.

Section 155.1 pertains to the use in commerce of any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark or a dominant feature thereof in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods or services, likely to cause confusion or deceive.

Provido said they are still validating Jeruta’s documents on his gun possession and licenses.

If he cannot present complete documents, he would be held liable for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).