OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a Korean and two Filipinos in Bulacan for allegedly selling food products that are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration.
The CIDG identified the Korean only as Kim, the owner of a warehouse at the K-steel Industrial Park in Barangay Tiaong, Guiguinto, Bulacan.
Also arrested were his two Filipino employees, identified as Glen and Manuel.
CIDG operatives raided the warehouse last Saturday after receiving reports that illegal food products were being sold in the area.
Seized during the operation were 28 boxes of assorted Maxim coffee, 367 boxes of Ice Talk beverages, and bottles of expired Narangd cider worth around P1.1 million.
“They (suspects) were caught while trading and distributing imported food products – coffee, juice and cider from Korea, which are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration and traded without the required Certificate of Product Registration,” the CIDG said in a statement yesterday.
The suspects are facing charges of violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act “for the unlawful distribution and sale of unregistered food products, in physical stores and online transactions.”
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre commended the policemen involved in the successful operation.
“Since these food products have not gone through the evaluation process of the FDA, their quality and safety cannot be assured,” Torre said.
“We significantly prevented health and safety risks that may cause our consumers by seizing these unregistered food products, and we made the violators accountable,” added Torre.
Torre urged the public to report to authorities if they observe the sale of illegal food products.
“We encourage the public to report any suspicious activities related to unauthorized food products trade and distribution in your communities and the CIDG will do the rest,” said Torre.
