OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a businessman and his wife at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Paranaque City for estafa and syndicated estafa.
The CIDG named the suspects only as Cerrone and his wife Marve, who were apprehended last Wednesday upon arrival from Thailand, where they were provisionally arrested last month.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III commended personnel from the CIDG Southern District Field Unit and Anti-Organized Crime Unit for the arrest of the couple.
“We have put these two suspects behind bars and helped so many estafa and syndicated estafa victims attain the justice they deserve,” Torre said in a statement.
“Rest assured that your CIDG is steadfast in our fight against all forms of criminality and relentlessly in pursuing and catching these most wanted persons and criminals. Remember, your CIDG means business,” he added.
The CIDG said Cerrone is the president and chairman of Organico Agribusiness Ventures Corporation, which was allegedly involved in the so-called Ponzi scheme.
“The Organico company has been accused of operating a Ponzi scheme, where investors’ returns are derived from new investors’ funds. Allegedly, Organico promised a ‘double-your-money’ investment, starting with a P3,600 payment for a piglet, which would increase to P7,000 after three months. The company also utilized crowdfunding to offer shares,” the CIDG said.
The CIDG said Cerrone is also reportedly the managing director of ERA Phetchaburi, a commercial real estate agency in Thailand.
The CIDG said the couple was arrested by virtue of 345 arrest warrants issued by four courts — 190 for estafa and 155 for syndicated estafa. No bail was recommended.
It said Cerrone is included in the list of the country’s most wanted persons. The government has offered a P950,000 reward for information that would lead to his arrest.
The CIDG said the couple was provisionally arrested by Thai police and immigration authorities at their residence in Phetchaburi, Thailand, last month after the revocation of their permit to stay in Thailand and implementation of a Red Notice from Interpol.
On its website, Interpol said a Red Notice “is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.”
Cosmetic product recalled
THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced the voluntary recall of a cosmetic product found to be tainted with the prohibited colorant Rhodamine B.
Recalled from the market was Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc.’s “Lip & Cheek Stain,” Lot/Batch Numbers 22E03QW and 22H05QW.
The FDA said the presence of the prohibited colorant was detected during laboratory analysis.
Rhodamine B is a red to violet powder commonly used as a fluorescent dye in water and air flow studies, as well as in molecular and cell biology studies, the DFA said.
“It has been shown to be carcinogenic in mammalian models … Potential side effects from exposure include skin irritation and sensitization, eye irritation, carcinogenicity, and toxicity that may affect the liver, kidneys, or other organs,” the FDA also said. – Gerard Naval
