THE Department of Justice (DOJ) filed on Tuesday a P5.76-billion tax evasion case against five Chinese nationals involved in cigarettes smuggling in Valenzuela and Bulacan.
A joint task force operation was conducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) resulting in the seizure of 21,000 master cases of unregistered cigarettes.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the complaint was proof that crimes undermining the economy can be defeated as long as the responsible government agencies join their resources and intensify their efforts.
He lauded BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. for the agency’s successful war against cigarettes smuggling and encouraged the bureau and other agencies to continue their fight on other notable financial crimes that severely affect national economic growth.