A CHINESE national was nabbed by the National Bureau of Investigation-Cebu District Office (NBI Cebdo) for allegedly selling and dispensing counterfeit medical products in a Chinese Supermarket on A.S. Fortuna Street, Bakilid, Mandaue City on March 22, 2023.
The suspect was identified as Hu Xiang, alias "Chang," a native of Fujian, Province of China, and a new employee of the Laoxiang Supermarket in Mandaue.
He was caught red-handed by the NBI agents posing as customers inside the supermarket during the buy-bust operation.
NBI Mandaue agent-in-charge Arnel Pura said on Wednesday, March 29, that the operation was conducted after finding out that the supermarket has no license to operate from the Food and Drugs Administration.
It also has not been registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Mandaue City Government’s business licensing office.
Pura said Chang did not also present any documents, such as passport, to support the validity of his stay in the Philippines.
A total of P300,000 worth of assorted various medical products were seized by the NBI with the assistance of the FDA Regional Enforcement Unit.
Numerous charges were filed against Chang before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Mandaue for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, and RA 10918, otherwise known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act at the Municipal Trial Court Mandaue.
Pura said Chang was temporarily released after posting bail of P96,000 for each charge.
Meanwhile, Pura announced that the proprietor of the store remained at large and that the store had been permanently closed to allow for an investigation.
The seized medical products were brought to FDA 7 Cebu City field office for examinations and the results will be used as additional pieces of evidence. (HIC)