A joint team conducted a targeted inspection and public awareness campaign against the sale of illicit cigarettes in Batang and Infanta, Pangasinan on 25 August.

The operation, which started at around 9 a.m., involved representatives from Procast Inc., an authorized service provider of the Philippine Tobacco Institute Inc. (PTI), with police assistance from the Infanta Municipal Police Station.

The team inspected cigarette vendors for possible violations involving the sale of non-compliant tobacco products, including those without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps, Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) requirements.

During the operation, the team issued formal warnings and conducted information dissemination among vendors regarding their potential legal liabilities under Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, as well as other applicable tax laws and regulations.

Police said the operation yielded negative results, with no violations requiring the filing of criminal charges noted during the inspection.