The Bureau of Customs seized some P30 million worth of counterfeit medicines, including popular paracetamol brands, amid the reported shortage of supply especially in Metro Manila.
The counterfeit medicines were packed in cartons printed with Chinese characters. They were found in two storages at 7434-B and 7434-C Highland St., Marcelo Green Village and 27 Pearl St., Severina Subdivision, Km 18, Brgy. Marcelo, both in Paranaque City.
The seized counterfeit medicines included Biogesic, Neozep, Bioflu, Immunpro, Ivermectin, Phenokinon F Injection, Medicol, Planax, Alaxan FR, MX3 and other treatments. Certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Unilab Pharmaceuticals, the makers of market-leading paracetamol brand Biogesic, stated that the said medicines were counterfeit.
The operation that occurred on Jan. 5 was in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), as well as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Intelligence Service Armed Forces Of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The team composed of members of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), PDEA-IIS, NICA, ISAFP and the PCG, nabbed the suspect, Adel Rajput, a 31-year-old Pakistani national who resides in Caloocan City.
He was brought to the Paranaque City Prosecutors' Office for inquest and will face various cases for violation of Sec. 1401, or the Unlawful Importation/Exportation), Sec. 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) paragraph (l) (5) in relation to Sec. 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) paragraph (e) of the CMTA, and the violation of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and its Pertinent Rules and Regulations).
His visa will be under a revocation process by the Bureau of Immigration.
Intelligence Officer II and Chief of the CIIS-MICP Alvin Enciso led the implementation of the Letter of Authority together with the Mission Order signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero.
“We received reports about the presence of counterfeit items. It’s not just items, but medicines. We acted on this immediately because this can pose a health threat,” said Raniel Ramiro, Customs Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence Group.
“They are selling these to unsuspecting people whose only hope is to buy authentic medicines for themselves and their loved ones," he added.
Last November 24, 2021, BOC also seized fake medicines from a warehouse in Pasig City.