Cops seize fake Maggi products

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized on Tuesday fake Maggi Magic Sarap in raids conducted at markets in Cagayan de Oro City.

The CIDG seized the products inside three warehouses in the Agora Public Market while the other products were sold in three stores and a stall in the Carmen Public Market.

Police Senior Superintendent Eliseo Rasco, CIDG Regional chief, said that manufacture and selling of fake products are violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and the Food and Drug Administration Act.

Police said public market stall vendors and sari-sari stores have been buying fake Maggi products from illegal operators at very low prices but sell to unsuspecting consumers at regular retail prices.

“Actually, it was the CIDG-Manila who led the operations, nag-coordinate lang sila sa atin to assist them,” Rasco said.

He added that complainants, Nestlé Philippines and Unilever Philippines Inc., also joined in the operation.

The raiding team was armed with six warrants against unidentified owners of the warehouses and stores all issued by Judge Lyliha L. Abella-Aquino, acting presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 24 in Manila.

Rasco said the first operation was conducted around 11:15 a.m. at E.G.T. General Merchandize located along Agora Road that resulted in the confiscation of 1,752 pieces Maggi Magic Sarap.

The next raid was held at SK 777 Trading where some 4,272 pieces Knorr Original Sampaloc and 744 pieces Knorr Sampaloc Maygabi were also seized.

The raiding team also went to DNG Trading and confiscated some 828 pieces of Maggi Magic Sarap (8 grams) and 216 pieces Maggi Magic Sarap (50 grams).

At around 12:30 p.m., authorities proceeded to Carmen Public Market, particularly at Amil Store where they confiscated at least 192 pieces Maggi products then at Dela Cruz store and seized 394 Maggi products in different grams.

A stall with license RI-68 was also raided where some 935 Maggi products in different grams were seized.

Rasco said they had yet to determine the exact amount of the confiscated fake products.

“Ongoing pa rin kasi ang operation. I think may coffee at shampoo pa yata,” he added.

Rasco said all confiscated items are now in the custody of CIDG-Anti Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division (AFCCD) in Camp Crame while charges for violation of Section 168 in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293 (Unfair Competition) is now prepared for filing against the owners.

He said these fake products are dangerous if being sold by retailers because authorities will have a hard time tracking them down.

“Delikado rin baka kung ano ang epekto nito sa katawan ng tao,” Rasco said.

He believed that the fake products were not manufactured in Cagayan de Oro but just being transported for distribution in the city and to other areas in the region. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)