10 Individuals Selling COVID-19 Test Kits Illegally in Quezon City Arrested
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives arrested ten people in Quezon City for illegally selling COVID-19 test kits.
According to the Philippine News Agency, the suspects were apprehended in an entrapment operation after selling 30 boxes of Clungene rapid test kits worth P204,000 at Scout Bayoran St. in Barangay South Triangle.
The suspects were held responsible for up to P9 million worth of various rapid test kits. Marize Santiago, one of the suspects, was found to be linked to a Chinese online trading community that illegally sells rapid test kits.
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CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said, “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,”
“Sa tingin ko po, ito ay hindi ordinaryong grupo. Practically, they are avoiding taxes. It is economic sabotage because they do not want to pay the proper taxes,” the official added.
The operation is said to be part of the government’s attempt to stop people from profiting from the pandemic by selling medicinal goods illegally online. Joinstar, Clungene rapid test kit, Innovita antibody test, Sanli disposable virus specimen, and Wondfo rapid test kit were among the medical devices seized.
Suspects are now facing charges of violating Republic Act 9711, also known as the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, as well as FDA Circular No. 2020-016, which prohibits the sale of FDA-certified COVID-19 antibody test kits over the internet.
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