P220,000 worth of fake cigarettes seized in NegOr

Police check the boxes containing alleged fake cigarettes worth P220,000 seized from an alleged trader who was arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Bagawines, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental Monday. (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Oriental confiscated four boxes or 200 packs of alleged fake cigarettes worth P220,000 in an entrapment operation in Barangay Bagawines, Vallehermoso town last Monday.

Police operatives also arrested Abdul Jalil Mangundaya Mamarinta, 48, of Barangay 5, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, an alleged trader.

Based on a police report, Mamarinta allegedly sold fake cigarettes to a police agent for P77,000 during the buy-bust operation.

Mamarinta, who has yet to be reached for comment, is detained at Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station.

He will be charged for violation of Section 168.3 (a) of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.