OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Customs Enforcement Group (BOC-EG) recently raided a warehouse turned into a clandestine factory manufacturing fake and toxic insecticides in San Simon town.
The BOC-EG headed by Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval implemented a letter of authority signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero for what was supposed to be an inspection turned into a raid after Customs personnel confirmed that the warehouse, located at Block 12, Lots 1A and 1B in Global Aseana Business Park was converted into a factory for aerosol insecticides.
According to Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) EG Director Felimon Ruiz, the machines and chemicals used in the manufacture of aerosol insecticides are imported from China.
During the inspection, BOC operatives discovered 10 sets of machines forming two production lines for labeling the aerosol insecticide products with the brand name “BAOLLIAI”.
Also uncovered and immediately seized were more or less 50 drums filled with chemicals, particularly cypermethrin and polyaluminum chloride, various packaging materials and labels bearing the same brand name, and at least 2,000 boxes containing finished products.
The owner, identified as one Andy Go, was not around during the inspection but workers at the warehouse also failed to present a certificate of payment for the imported machines and raw materials, as well as business permit or permit to operate authorizing them to produce insect repellents and other chemicals used to control pests and/or insects.
A quick online search on the brand name revealed that it is a knockoff of “BAOLILAI”, a household insecticide product that was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past years for containing cypermethrin, a “broad spectrum” pesticide with neurotoxic effects on rodents, aquatic organisms, mammals, and even humans.
San Simon chief of police Chief Inspector Louie Gonzaga, when sought for reaction, said that the local police is in constant coordination with the BOC for other possible inspections which may lead to uncovering of illegal activities.
“The local police will continue to partner with different government agencies in putting a stop to all types of illegal activities conducted in San Simon, and apprehend all individuals or groups that are behind these criminalities,” he said.