CEBU, Philippines - Around 100 reams of counterfeit cigarettes sold in a store in Barangay Poblacion, Moalboal town, were seized by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-7).
The counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated from Eva Auza, who was also arrested during the serving of the search warrant last August 30.
Based on the search warrant issued by Judge Ramon Daomilas Jr. of RTC Branch 11, there is probable cause to believe that Auza, who owns Eva Store at the Moalboal Public Market, has violated Section 155 in relation to Section 170 of R.A 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines for selling counterfeit Mighty cigarettes in the town's public market.
If found guilty, Auza will be facing a penalty of two years to five years imprisonment and a fine ranging from P50,000 to P200,000.
The NBI agents confirmed that the seized cigarettes bore no tax stamps and are not registered with local authorities. NBI-7 acted based on a complaint filed by Mighty Corp., manufacturer of Mighty cigarette brands. The manufacturer said that its cigarette brands were being "copied by unscrupulous businessmen who flood the market to bring the cigarette company's name down."
Aside from the counterfeit cigarettes, NBI-7 also seized a pad of used and unused sales invoice.
The NBI has been cracking down on fake cigarette brands allegedly being sold in markets across the province. (FREEMAN)