Almost 700,000 pieces of illegal Carnival brand cigarettes were seized in Luzon during a two-month government campaign. It was led by the CIDG and other agencies under Oplan Megashopper.
The operation began in July in Quezon City, where a 29-year-old online seller was arrested and 20,000 pieces of yosi were seized. This was followed by operations in Bamban, Tarlac (37,000 pieces); Cavite (50,000 pieces); San Simon, Pampanga (520,000 pieces of Carnival Menthol); Orion, Bataan (10,000 pieces); Dinaluihan, Bataan (20,000 pieces); and Angeles City (22,000 pieces).
Criminal cases are being prepared against all suspects. They will face violations of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, Graphic Health Warning Act, Intellectual Property Code, and other laws against smuggling and economic sabotage.
