Manila, May 27 -- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Tuesday its operatives arrested a Chinese national for trading around PHP2 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes during an operation in Malabon City.

In a statement, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspect, identified as Ziqiang, was arrested for selling cigarettes without authorization from the trademark owner at Orange Road in Potrero on May 23.

He said the operation was part of the efforts to run after those engaged in the manufacture and trade of counterfeited items and illicit trading of tobacco products across the country.

Seized were 33 master cases of alleged counterfeit and trademark infringing Marlboro Gold Nise and Luxury...