CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija — Police arrested five Chinese nationals and rescued two Filipino workers after uncovering an illegal tobacco warehouse in Barangay Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, on the afternoon of 9 July.

According to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), the operation was launched following a report from a local resident about a warehouse allegedly engaged in the illegal processing of tobacco. Responding personnel from the Carranglan Municipal Police Station (MPS) discovered a large quantity of unfinished dried tobacco leaves at the site.

Authorities said the warehouse was operating without a valid business permit issued by the local government of Carranglan.

The five Chinese nationals were arrested after they allegedly failed to present valid documents establishing their identities and legal status in the country. Two Filipino laborers found at the site were rescued and placed under protective custody.

As of press time, authorities were coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to verify the immigration status of the arrested foreign nationals. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG RFU3) have also been tapped to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Police are likewise coordinating with the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) to determine the quantity of the tobacco products and production equipment recovered during the operation.

Authorities said charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, will initially be filed against the suspects, pending further investigation into possible violations of immigration laws, local ordinances, and other applicable statutes.