NBI seizes P1M worth of “ukay-ukay”
CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 yesterday seized 52 bundles of illegally imported used clothing with an estimated worth of P1 million in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
The NBI agents raided a shop owned by Sherwin Tee, resident of Rosario Village in Barangay Mabolo, based on a search warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Francisco Seville, Jr. for violation of the Republic Act 4653, which prohibits importation of used clothing for commercial purpose.
The suspect did not also have a business permit from the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office.
NBI-7 director Antonio Pagatpat said they conducted surveillance and test buy operations before the raid.
“Prior to the implementation of the search warrant we conducted surveillance and tests buy operation,†he said.
Pagatpat said Tee was not arrested during the raid because he was not around. He will however face charges for violation of R.A. 4653.
“Ipinagbabawal ito kasi may possibility na it can affect the health of the people. Hindi natin alam kung sino ang gumagamit o sinong dating gumagamit,†he said.
“Lumalabas na tayo ay nagiging tapunan ng lumang gamit at damit galing sa ibang bansa. Napakapangit na ang ginagamit ng ating mga kababayan ay ang pinaglumaan o wala ng gamit sa ibang bansa,†Pagatpat added.
The seized evidence are temporarily under the custody of the NBI for safekeeping.
“The moment na ma-inform ang court, nasa court na ang pagpapasya. Of course this can be used as evidence in the case,†he said.
If found guilty, the suspect may suffer an imprisonment of not less than two years but no more than five years and a fine of not less than two hundred pesos nor more than P20,000. —/FPL (FREEMAN)
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