Sunday, January 07, 2007 4 Chinoys nabbed for selling fake medicines
OPERATIVES of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Friday arrested four Filipino-Chinese nationals in raids in Binondo, Manila for allegedly selling fake medicines.
CIDG director Edgardo Doromal identified the four as Roger Pincas, of the Vita Green Chinese store; Teresita Cheng, of the Manhok Chinese drug store; Khung Zhang Chen, of Cathay Oriental Chinese drug store, and Michael Angelo Yao of Beauty Land Chinese drug store.
Doromal said the four are presently at the CIDG office in Camp Crame pending the filing of charges of violation of Republic Act (RA) 8203 or the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs before the Manila City Prosecutors Office.
The raid on these drug stores was an off-shoot of our new thrust on economic crimes which have dealt a crippling blow to the economy of our country, specifically RA 8203 which is a special law on drugs which have been spirited into the country without passing proper taxation and most importantly, it is not being duly examined and registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad) for availability for human consumption, said Doromal.
Doromal said they seized in the separate operations assorted drugs, pills, and tablets for erectile dysfunction, sleep enhancers, and other vitamins and minerals estimated to be worth P800,000 but when they are sold in the market, the prices may increase three folds.
These drugs which are considered counterfeit or fake, for this matter, are now subjected to further investigation although the Bfad had already confirmed through a certification last Dec. 19, 2006 that same drugs were unregistered with the bureau. Hence, the sale of the drugs constitutes a violation of the special law mentioned, said Doromal. (VR/Sunnex)
