P.5 million COVID-19 supplies seized

MANILA, Philippines — Police confiscated at least P576,000 worth of unauthorized COVID-19 test kits and anti-COVID medicine in separate operations in Metro Manila on Friday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) agents arrested Chenguang Lei, 36, a Chinese businessman; Remedios Mortgal, 51, and Edsa Meriel Granadoso, 27, during a raid on the Heng De Store along Barraca street in Binondo, Manila.

The agents confiscated around 100 boxes of unauthorized test kits valued at around P500,000.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, CIDG National Capital Region field office chief, said they initiated an entrapment against the suspects in response to reports they were selling unregistered test kits.

The suspects were collared after they accepted the marked money from an undercover police officer.

Based on their investigation, Silvio said the suspects are alleged members of a Chinese syndicate involved in the illegal sale of unauthorized COVID-19 medical supplies in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

The suspects are facing charges of violating Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act.

In Quezon City, police seized around 200 capsules of molnupiravir valued at P76,000 from an online seller in Quezon City on Friday.

Jennelyn Solis, 34, was arrested by CIDG agents in a sting at her residence on 10th Avenue in Barangay Socorro at around 6:30 p.m.

Silvio said an informant tipped off the CIDG that Solis has been selling the medicine online using a Facebook account.

The FDA earlier said molnupiravir is still not being sold commercially and is only accessed through the Department of Health and hospitals with a compassionate special permit.

A policeman posing as a buyer negotiated a deal with Solis for 14 boxes of molnupiravir in return for P52,000.

The suspect was placed under arrest after she received the marked money.

Solis is facing charges of violating RA 9711.