Gang selling fake COVID-19 test kits busted

MANILA, Philippines — Police rounded up nine people in possession of P30 million worth of fake COVID-19 test kits in an entrapment operation in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group identified the suspects as Marize Santiago, Joshua Raphael Ramirez, Zeus Jimena, John Vincent Sumalabe, Rio Joyce Perando, Hermogenes Villordon, Jomari Estrada, John Marthy Parentela and John Paolo San Pedro.

The contraband was seized in a raid on the group’s lair after an undercover operative was able to buy 30 boxes of fake test kits.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE