Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija — The Zaragoza Municipal Police Station (MPS) has seized P1.3 million worth of fake cigarettes at a checkpoint in this town on Saturday.

According to Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) Director Police Col. Ferdinand D Germino, a 42-year-old male was arrested for violating R.A. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

He said that an anti-criminality checkpoint along San Antonio-Zaragoza Road in Barangay Batitang of this town was conducted by elements of Zaragoza MPS.

During their monitoring on Saturday afternoon, personnel from Zaragoza MPS flagged down a Nissan Urban 350 vehicle for a routine check and verification.

Upon opening the vehicle’s window, police officers observed in plain view 20 boxes of Modern Red Cigarettes, 25 boxes of Modern Blue Cigarettes, 20 boxes of RGD Cigarettes, and 10 boxes of Carnival Cigarettes, with a total estimated street value of P1,350,000.00.

The arrested individual and the confiscated items were brought to Zaragoza MPS for proper disposition.

“This serves as a stern warning to all sellers, distributors, and consumers to stop patronizing fake cigarettes. Such illicit trade will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Germino stated, in line with the directive of Police Brigadier General Redrico A Maranan, Regional Director, PRO3, to curb this illegal activity.