Manila, July 11 -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives have arrested five individuals for trading PHP4.7 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes during an operation in Negros Occidental.

In a statement on Friday, CIDG acting Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz identified the arrested suspects as alias Judie, Arnel, Ali, Brian, and Marjun, who were nabbed in separate operations in Purok Ozmenia, Barangay 2 and Barangay Talaban, both in Himamaylan City on Thursday.

They were arrested for selling cigarettes without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and graphic health warnings in violation of Republic Act (RA) 10643 (The Graphic Health Warnings Law).

He said the operation was part of efforts to r...