ENTRAPMENT. CIDG personnel inspect boxes of Covid-19 test kits in an entrapment in Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City on Tuesday (April 13, 2021). CIDG director, Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the suspects failed to show the operatives their license to operate or special permits to sell and distribute the test kits. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)
MANILA – Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 10 people allegedly involved in the illegal selling of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test kits in Quezon City on Tuesday.
The suspects were arrested in an entrapment after selling 30 boxes of Clungene rapid test kits worth PHP204,000, to a poseur buyer at around 11 a.m. on Scout Bayoran St. in Barangay South Triangle.
Police officers also seized from the suspects' possession assorted rapid test kits worth PHP30 million.
“An entrapment was immediately conducted which resulted in their arrest as soon as they received the marked money,” CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said.
One of the suspects, Marize Santiago, was found to be connected to a Chinese online selling group that offers unauthorized rapid test kits for Covid-19.
Ferro said the suspects failed to show the operatives their license to operate or special permit to sell and distribute the test kits.
"Na-verify po natin sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration) na sila, itong grupo na ito ay walang license to operate, base po sa ating pag-check kahapon sa FDA. (Per our verification with the FDA, this group has no license to operate, based on our coordination with FDA yesterday)," he said.
The suspects also yielded National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cards and badges.
Ferro said they will coordinate with the NBI to determine the authenticity of the IDs and badges and why the suspects have them.
"Sa tingin ko po, ito ay hindi ordinaryong grupo (I believe this is not an ordinary group). Practically, they are avoiding taxes. It is economic sabotage because they do not want to pay the proper taxes," he said.
He said the operation is part of the efforts to run after those who take advantage of the pandemic to earn money by illegally marketing medical devices through illegal online selling websites being catered by unauthorized online sellers of Covid 19 rapid test kit.
He said the medical devices include Joinstar, Clungene rapid test kit, Innovita antibody test, Sanli disposable virus specimen, and Wondfo rapid test kit.
The suspects are now facing a case of violation of the Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 in relation to FDA Circular No. 2020-016 or the prohibition of online selling of FDA certified Covid-19 antibody test kit. (PNA)
