(Photo courtesy of PNP PIO)
MANILA – Police operatives have arrested a Chinese national and her Filipino cohort in an entrapment operation for selling unregistered Covid-19 test kits in Navotas City, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said on Wednesday.
The suspects were identified as Liset Lo Kaw, 40, businesswoman and resident of Barangay San Rafael Village, Navotas City, and Christian Casanova Cruz, 23, resident of Concepcion, Malabon.
Both were arrested by the joint operatives of the Navotas City Police Station, Quezon City District Field Unit Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (QCDFU-CIDG), and Philippine Air Force intelligence on Tuesday.
Sinas said the arrested suspects are leaders of Christian CG, a criminal group engaged in online selling.
“We remind the public to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious online transactions. We cannot discount the risks associated with unauthorized medical products that could possibly endanger public health,” Sinas said.
He also called on those engaged in food or health product businesses to get pertinent legal documents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to avoid conflict with the law.
The police operation stemmed from information shared by the FDA of the illegal online sale of unregistered Covid-19 rapid test kit without having valid permits or licenses from the FDA.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said a police poseur buyer ordered online the 109 boxes of Clungene rapid test kit.
Subsequently, he said an entrapment operation was launched resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
Recovered from the suspects were 154 boxes each containing 50 pieces of Clungene rapid test kit worth PHP1 million and marked money worth PHP436,000.
Danao commended the success of the operating units and credited the public for their cooperation and continuous trust in the PNP by providing information regarding the illegal activities of individuals.
“I encourage the public to continuously report any suspicious activities, individuals to Isumbong ninyo kay RD NCRPO Text Hotline numbers O915- 888-9181 for GLOBE and 0999-901-8181 for SMART Subscribers,” said Danao. (PNA)
