An alert grocer in Pampanga and her storekeeper have foiled the attempt of a man posing as a sales agent of a tobacco company and trying to sell counterfeit cigarettes worth at least PhP62,500.
The mini grocery owner, Lady Maria Meneses Canilao, called the local police upon sensing the illegal transaction, which in turn apprehended Ryan Gallera for selling fake Mighty cigarettes, a brand of Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI) last November 09, 2023.
Gallera, a native of Iloilo City, allegedly offered to sell to Lamore Mini Grocery one master case of Mighty green cigarettes, which contained 50 reams, and get four free reams for a total of 54 reams of cigarettes.
Storekeeper Remedios de Mesa Coronado immediately became suspicious on the quality and authenticity of items when she noticed the cheap plastic wrappings used and the old appearance of the cigarette packs.
The suspect even had in his possession fake official receipts and a fake booklet sales invoice to support his disguise as a legitimate sales agent of the company.
The storekeeper also immediately contacted the JTI sales agent who regularly visits their store, who confirmed their suspicion that Galera was indeed a bogus sales agent.
Responding police from PNP Pampanga seized the illicit cigarettes and brought Galera to the police station.
JTI lawyers have already filed charges against the suspect for violating Republic Act (RA) 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
Galera faces two to three years imprisonment and a fine of PhP50,000 to PhP200,000 once proven guilty.
