MANILA – Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized PHP197 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a series of operations in cities of Quezon and Caloocan, an official said Friday.
In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the group's Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU), in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), carried out the raids on Thursday night.
Authorities first raided a warehouse on 61 Balingasa Street, Balintawak, Quezon City at about 9 p.m., arresting a Chinese national and two Filipinos.
Police seized 1,729,248 packs of smuggled cigarettes, with an estimated market value of PHP184,275,000.
At about 11 p.m., police raided a warehouse on 163 F. Roxas Street, 6th Avenue, Grace Park West, Barangay 54, Caloocan City, seizing 170 boxes of illicit cigarettes, with an estimated value of PHP12,750,000.
Francisco said all seized items were without the required BIR tax stamps, proving that these are smuggled.
The confiscated items have been secured at the BIR main office for safekeeping, while the suspects are now in the custody of CIDG-AFCCU.
The suspects will be charged with tax evasion under the National Internal Revenue Code. (PNA)
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