Around P6.7 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Regional Field Unit from a businessman.
The raid was conducted in F. Bangoy Street in Agdao yesterday, Feb. 20 at 11:30 a.m.
CIDG- City Field Unit Head, Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz identified him as Leo Lee Sy, businessman and a resident of Lapu-Lapu Street.
CIDG and Sta. Ana Police police conducted simultaneous Implementation of 42 Search Warrants issued by Retrina Fuentes, Presiding Judge RTC 11, Br 10 dated February 19, 2019 at Dr 72B, Santiago bldg., F. Bangoy St., Agdao, and at Lapu-lapu St., Agdao, that resulted in the arrest of Leo Lee Sy.
Driz said the arrested person was brought to the unit for booking and documentation and subsequently turned over to Sta. Ana police precinct for safekeeping.
She also said the search and seizure was conducted in accordance with law and witnessed by the subject person together with his lawyer, product specialist of PMFTC, and a Barangay Kagawad.
Confiscated products were 30 master cases Fortune cigarettes; 24 master cases Champion cigarettes; 23 master cases More cigarettes; 36 master cases Marlboro cigarettes, 39 master cases Mark cigarettes.
In an interview with the reporters yesterday, Driz said that Sy’s front business is Auto parts but he has other products and one of these is the counterfeit cigarettes that were confiscated.
“There is someone who delivers to him,” she said adding that they are still checking what group or country the items came from.
She also said that they have conducted surveillance since January.
In another operation, more or less P 5 million worth of counterfeit products and tools used in manufacturing cosmetic products were confiscated by the (CIDG-RFU) in Talisay St., Deca Homes Subdivision, Indangan on Tuesday around 4 p.m.
Three individuals were arrested during the operation.
Driz, identified them as Nelibeth Loro Marba, Charish Buenvantura Malvez; Franz Kevin Burgos Gaslang, all residents of Indangan.
Detectives from the CIDG led by Supt. Johanna May Lagundi and Chief Insp Milgrace Driz together with Buhangin police conducted simultaneous implementation of two search warrants in Block 7 Lot 6 and 7 in Talisay St.
Search warrant number 2006 dated Feb 13, 2019 and SW number 2051 dated Feb 19, 2019, was implemented against Marvin Rey Marba issued by Emmanuel Carpio, Exec Judge, Br. 16, RTC11, this city for RA9711 otherwise known as the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.
Driz said the operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects. Marvin Marba was not around during the implementation.
The search; seizure and inventory were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in accordance with the law and at all times witnessed by the subjects, FDA personnel and Brgy Kagawad Peregrine Sombilon.
Report said assorted illegal cosmetic products and equipment used in manufacturing cosmetic products worth P5 million were confiscated upon the implementation of two search warrants.
Meanwhile in the other two search warrants implemented in Phase 1 Santan street no items were confiscated.
The CIDG RFU and Davao CFU intensified operation in Davao City to strengthen and implement the law on RA 9711 and to stop the act of economic sabotage.
“We launched the operation because there are reports received that there are counterfeit cosmetics, so we conducted surveillance test. It turned out it was positive so an operation was conducted,” she said.
“I am appealing to all the people (to report), If they know any kind of suspicious activities and if they know personalities who are engaged in illegal activities pertaining to economic sabotage and all forms of criminalities and criminal gangs,” Driz said.
“They can report it to CIDG RFU 11 Davao City field unit at our Hotline number 09460642468,” she added.
