CIDG ARRESTS MAN FOR ILLEGAL LPG TRADE

BY KEVIN GALANG

A MAN on Saturday was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for selling LPG cylinders bearing registered trademarks of known companies without proper authorization in Bgy. Pacac, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod identified the suspect as alias “Del,”  38, a resident of Dama De Noche, Bgy. Pacac, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

According to Gollod, a report from CIDG RFU 3 showed that members of the tracker team of the CIDG Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit, in coordination with representatives from the LPG Marketers Association Inc. Party-List (LPGMA), conducted the buy-bust operation  under “Oplan LIRA” drive.

The suspect was arrested after receiving the marked money from a police officer acting as poseur-buyer in exchange for empty LPG cylinders bearing the trademarks of Republic Gas Corporation (Regasco) and South Pacific Incorporated (SPI) without authorization from the brand owners.

Seized were 67 empty LPG cylinders with Regasco brand name and 32 empty LPG cylinders bearing the SPI brand, along with the marked and boodle money.

The total estimated value of the confiscated items was placed at P105,000.

Police said the operation stemmed from formal complaints filed by LPGMA and Regasco regarding the rampant unauthorized sale of their branded LPG cylinders which pose potential safety risks to consumers and create unfair competition in the market.

The suspect was brought to the CIDG Nueva Ecija office for booking procedures along with the confiscated evidence. 

Charges for violation of Republic Act No. 8293 and Republic Act No. 623, as amended by Republic Act No. 5700 are being readied for filing in court against the suspect.