Four foreigners were arrested and around P1.3 million worth of unregistered coffee products were confiscated by the authorities in Pampanga. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)
MANILA, Philippines — Four foreign nationals were arrested and around P1.3 million worth of unregistered coffee products were confiscated by the authorities in Pampanga, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Wednesday.
According to CIDG’s report, its operatives, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) operating units, conducted an entrapment operation in San Simon.
Police said the operation led to the apprehension of two Chinese identified as Geen Chen, 33, and Huang Sheng, 39, and one Indonesian, Dedy Candra, 34, for selling unregistered coffee products under the brand “DEFU Coffee.”
Another Chinese, Chen Linren, was also arrested for obstruction of justice after providing false information to prevent operatives from apprehending Chen, Sheng, and Candra.
“Sa pagsasaliksik ng mga kinatawan ng FDA ay napagalaman na ang nasabing kumpanya ay walang lisensya para mag-operate at ang DEFU Coffee brand ay walang Certificate of Product Registration (CPR),” CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said.
(During the investigation, FDA representatives discovered that the company has no license to operate and that the DEFU Coffee brand does not have a CPR.)
Seized from the suspects were DEFU Coffee products with an estimated worth of P1,393,600, a gate pass, delivery receipts, an industrial machine for manufacturing and labeling of the products, and a van.
Confiscated items were turned over to CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 for documentation and proper disposition.
Formal complaints for violation of Republic Act 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, and Presidential Decree 1629, or Obstruction of Justice, will be filed against the suspects, CIDG said. — Kirsten Segui, trainee