CIDG MEN ARREST 5 CHINESE NATIONALS, CONFISCATE  P1.6M UNREGISTERED ENERGY, CHOCOLATE MILK DRINKS IN PAMPANGA WAREHOUSE RAID

BY KEVIN GALANG

SAN SIMON, Pampanga — Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday arrested five Chinese nationals and seized more than P1.6 million worth of unregistered energy and chocolate milk drinks in raid at a warehouse in this municipality.

According to CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 (RFU3) chief Col. Grant Gollod, raided was a warehouse inside Golden Sun 999 Business Park in Bgy. San Pablo Libutad.

The operation, dubbed “Oplan Megashopper,” was conducted by the CIDG RFU3 Special Operations Team, with support from the Pampanga Provincial Field Unit, and the San Simon police.

Authorities implemented a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court in Macabebe, Pampanga.

Arrested were alias “Xiong,” 50, a warehouse checker; and alias “Zhang,” 68; alias “Li,” 62; alias “Fang,” 50; and alias “Xiang,” 40; all machine operators.

Gollod said the arrested Chinese nationals are residents of Golden Sun 999 Business Park.

The alleged operations manager of the facility, an alias “Co,” is still being hunted.

Confiscated were 1,124 cases of PK Sunlight Vitamin Energy Drink (12 bottles per case); and 3,052 boxes of Swigo Chocolate Milk Drink (12 tetra packs per box) worth at least P1,619,040.

The raid stemmed from an information provided by an informant regarding the alleged widespread sale of Food and Drug Administration-unregistered drinks.

The information was validated through surveillance, online investigation, and coordination with the FDA, which confirmed that the warehouse was engaged in the manufacture, storage, and distribution of unregistered food items.

Investigators said large-scale manufacturing operations were being carried out by foreign chemists and machine operators inside the facility.

Authorities said the arrested foreign nationals failed to present valid travel documents such as passports or visas, to justify their stay in the country.

Charges for violations of Section 11(a) of Republic Act 3720, as amended by Republic Act 9711 (FDA Act of 2009), and Section 10 in relation to Section 45(4) of Commonwealth Act 613 (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940) are being readied for filing before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Pampanga against the suspects.

Gollod said the CIDG underscores the government’s continuing campaign against the manufacture and sale of unsafe and unregistered food products, as well as the presence of undocumented foreign workers in the country.