By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Authorities shut down an alleged illegal tobacco processing facility in Barangay Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, arresting five Chinese nationals and rescuing two Filipino workers during a raid conducted on Thursday.
The operation was launched by the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) in coordination with the town’s business permits and licensing office after receiving information from a resident about the warehouse’s activities.
Investigators said the facility, situated in a secluded hilly area, was operating without the required business permit. Inside the warehouse, law enforcement found large quantities of raw and processed tobacco leaves, along with processing equipment bearing Chinese characters.
Police said the five foreign nationals failed to present documents establishing their identities or legal status in the Philippines. The two Filipino workers found at the site were taken into protective custody.
Authorities are now working with the Bureau of Immigration to verify the immigration records of the foreign nationals. At the same time, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the National Tobacco Administration continue to assess the value of the confiscated tobacco products and equipment.
