5 Chinese held during raid on illicit tobacco warehouse in Nueva Ecija

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija — Five Chinese nationals were apprehended while two Filipino workers were rescued during a raid on an alleged illegal tobacco processing warehouse in Barangay Joson here on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Col. Richie Claravall, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), said operatives, in coordination with the municipal business permits and licensing office, raided the warehouse after acting on a tip from a resident.

The facility, located in a hilly area several meters from the main road, allegedly operated without a valid business permit issued by the local government of Carranglan.

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Authorities recovered several tobacco-processing machines bearing Chinese characters, along with tons of raw and processed tobacco leaves.

Claravall said the five Chinese nationals found inside the warehouse were unable to communicate in Filipino or English and failed to present documents proving their identities or legal status in the country.

The two Filipino workers were rescued and placed under protective custody.

As of press time, authorities had yet to determine the value of the seized equipment and tobacco products as inventories and assessments were still being conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

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Police are also coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to verify the immigration status of the foreign nationals.

Authorities are preparing charges against the suspects for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, immigration laws, and local ordinances.

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“We will not allow illegal operations to thrive in Nueva Ecija. NEPPO will continue to enforce the law without fear or favor and ensure that those who violate it are brought to justice,” Claravall said. /das

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