Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) brand Solane has seized in 2021 more than 1,000 counterfeit products in various areas in the country as it widened its crackdown against illegal trading and retailing of LPG products in the country.

“Solane captured a total of 1,024 illegal LPGs in 2021 -- amounting to Php 2,661,890.00,” the LPG firm has emphasized in its statement to the media.

The company further reported that in December alone, it carried out more than 15 raids and that led to the confiscation of at least 145 illegally-refilled Solane LPG tanks that had been valued at P300,000.

In the buy-bust operations of the LPG firm, it specified that it is not just the illegally traded products that have been seized, but also the other pieces of evidence like marked money, transaction receipts and other items.

According to Solane, the last leg of its LPG bust operations had been in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Rizal, Quirino and Camarines Sur; and prior to these areas, there was also a raid in Antipolo, Rizal.

“All captured items were brought to the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) of each local government unit for documentation and proper disposition for filing of appropriate cases in court,” the company said.

Within the stretch of last year’s second half, Solane indicated that the total number of confiscated tanks had been 585 - and the total value of the apprehended goods had been pegged at roughly P1.0 million.

Solane conveyed it “consistently carried out raid operations nationwide as part of its commitment to protect consumer safety,” and such acts are in keeping with the provisions of Republic Act 11592 or the newly passed LPG Law in the country.

“While the passage of the LPG Law in October (2021) reinforces the government’s campaign against illegal sources of LPG products, Solane’s busts throughout the year helped put suspects behind bars and immediately halt unauthorized trades in communities they busted,” the company stressed.

It qualified that these buy-bust operations also served as a platform “to campaign for more vigilant households,” hence, Solane has been continuously educating consumers “to verify their LPG tanks, and actively spread the awareness on safer and top-quality products to onboard the public in promoting and protecting their safety at all times.”

The company noted it has also been relentlessly reminding the public of “the danger that counterfeit tanks may bring into their households,” including those LPG cylinders that are fake, dilapidated and sub-standards because these may have leaks that could trigger massive fire or explosions.

“While the company looks forward to better and stronger regulation of the LPG sector, Solane is determined to continue taking down dangerous sources of LPGs through its bust operations at the same time, incessantly delivering safe, sustainable, and innovative LPG solutions for consumers,” the company added.