Cases readied against cigarette ‘syndicate’

Cases readied against cigarette ‘syndicate’ | Daily Tribune

Authorities are building multiple criminal cases against individuals believed to be behind a network of illegal cigarette factories in Pampanga, following a series of raids that uncovered what officials described as a large, organized and highly sophisticated operation.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, working with the Philippine National Police, is coordinating with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Agriculture to prepare charges against those allegedly operating at least four illicit tobacco facilities in the province.

“We keep saying that the tobacco problem in the Philippines is very big. There is a syndicate running all these factories. We are still identifying who they are, but it is too much of a coincidence that they all stopped operating at the same time,” Remulla said.

Three cigarette factories in Pampanga — two in the town of Mexico and one in San Simon — reportedly halted operations shortly after authorities raided a commercial warehouse in San Fernando City.

Remulla said none of the products, machinery or brands found in the facilities were registered with the National Tobacco Administration, indicating the operations were “100 percent illegal.”

Seized items included cigarette-making and repacking machines, tobacco-drying equipment, filters, counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and cigarette products bearing brands such as Playboy.

Owners tagged

San Fernando City Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag confirmed the raided facility had no business permit.

Remulla identified the owners of Fast Track Trade Link — Richard Uy, Marlene Garcia and Leonardo Bangayan Lim — as persons of interest, and said investigators are also looking into the possible involvement of two lawmakers from Central Luzon.

The suspects may face charges for violations of the Tax Reform Act of 1997, the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Consumer Act of the Philippines and environmental laws.

Another illegal warehouse in San Simon was discovered shortly after officials presented the initial raids to the public. Police said a netizen, watching a Facebook livestream of the press briefing, recognized the same cigarette brands and tipped off authorities via text message.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives confirmed the presence of illicit “Modern” and “HP” cigarettes inside the warehouse and seized more than P70 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and raw materials. Barangay officials later confirmed the warehouse also lacked a business permit.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation highlighted the role of community cooperation in law enforcement. He added that the scale of the operations suggests profits could be fueling other criminal activities.

Money trail

“Based on our intelligence reports and the scale of these operations, this is not just about tax evasion; this is organized crime. The earnings run into billions of pesos, and this money can be used for other illegal activities such as arms smuggling, human trafficking or financing private armed groups,” Nartatez said.

Investigators are tracing the financial trail behind the network and coordinating with enforcement agencies to identify those involved. “No amount of money, influence or political connections can protect those behind this,” he said.