4 CHINESE ARRESTED, P1.7-M UNREGISTERED JELLY SNACKS SEIZED IN PAMPANGA WAREHOUSE

BY KEVIN GALANG 

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Joint operatives on Tuesday arrested four  Chinese nationals and seized an estimated P1.7 million worth of unregistered jelly snacks and manufacturing materials during the implementation of a search warrant at a food manufacturing warehouse in Minalin, Pampanga.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said the operation under Oplan Megashopper drive was conducted in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration Region 3, Police Regional Office 3, Regional Special Operations Group, and the Minalin Municipal Police Station.

The CIDG RFU3 men served the search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in San Fernando City, Pampanga for alleged violations of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 at the warehouse of JUJU Manufacturing Corporation in Bgy. Sta. Maria, Minalin.

Arrested were alias “Shao, 25,” the company manager; alias “Wen,” 45, a supervisor; alias “Tang,” 44, a machine operator; and alias “He,” 37, a production manager, all Chinese nationals.

Police are pursuing two company incorporators and a sales executive who remain at-large.

Confiscated during the operation were two industrial mixing machines, 91 gallons of assorted liquid flavorings, 188 boxes of assorted liquid flavoring raw materials, 121 sacks of gelatin powder, 1,000 sacks of dextrose monohydrate, 53 sacks of sodium cyclamate, five pallets of empty carton boxes, numerous delivery receipts and price lists, and 400 boxes of assorted Zestar Jelly Cups.

Police estimated the total value of the seized items at P1.7 million.

Probers said JUJU Manufacturing Corporation holds a valid License to Operate (LTO) as a food manufacturer. 

However, the food products being manufactured, distributed, and offered for sale were allegedly not registered with the FDA, in violation of Republic Act 9711.

Police said the company representatives failed to present during the operation FDA certificates of product registration or other documents that will prove the legality of the seized food products.

The arrested Chinese nationals were brought to the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit for booking and temporary detention while charges are being prepared for filing in court.