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By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

AUTHORITIES uncovered a Taiwanese crime syndicate that has been counterfeiting branded cigarettes during raids in Cugman, this city, and in Villanueva town in Misamis Oriental, this week.

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A joint team fielded by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the police seized some P30 million worth of cigarettes, raw materials and equipment on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The separate raids were carried out in a warehouse at Zone 9, Alwana compound in Barangay Cugman, and a factory along the highway in Poblacion, Villanueva town.

Supt. Cholijun Caduyac, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Caraga, said authorities found and confiscated five cigarette filter machines and two cigarette makers in Cugman, and 10 other cigarette making equipment in the Villanueva factory.

Investigators said the machines were used in faking Philip Morris, Fortune, Marvels and Mighty cigarettes.

Hundreds of sacks of cigarette ingredients and filters were also confiscated as well as bundles of counterfeit internal revenue tax stamps.

Authorities said the counterfeit Marvel and Fortune cigarettes produced here were priced at P32.50 per pack.

Authorities said these were traced to Taiwanese Wang Jung Shun, Wang See Shen, and two siblings surnamed Chua who are facing charges for unlawful possession of fake BIR stamps.

The CIDG said it was also preparing charges against the warehouse owners who were not identified pending the filing of cases.

Caduyac said information authorities received indicated that the Taiwanese group has been distributing the counterfeit cigarettes to the Cagara and Davao regions.

Remedious Advincula Jr., chief revenue officer of the BIR, said the warehouse and factory have been ordered closed down. The owners of the seized cigarettes and equipment  are being sought, he said.

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