Four unidentified Chinese nationals were taken into custody after authorities discovered a suspected illegal tobacco processing warehouse in Barangay Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, on Thursday, July 9.

According to the Carranglan Municipal Police Station (MPS), police personnel received a report from a concerned citizen at around 5:40 p.m. regarding a warehouse allegedly processing illegal tobacco products in the area.

Responding officers immediately proceeded to the location to verify the information. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a large quantity of unfinished dried tobacco inside the facility, which reportedly emitted a foul odor.

Initial investigation showed that the warehouse was allegedly operating without a valid business permit issued by the local government unit of Carranglan.

Inside the premises, police found four unidentified male Chinese nationals who failed to present valid identification and immigration documents proving their identity and legal status in the Philippines.

Carranglan MPS coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration for verification of the individuals’ immigration status and with the Bureau of Internal Revenue for possible appropriate legal action.

Authorities said further investigation is ongoing to determine the ownership of the warehouse, the nature of its operations, and any possible violations of existing laws, immigration regulations, local ordinances, and other applicable statutes.

The case is also being coordinated with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Police Regional Office 3.