Distributor nabbed over counterfeit drugs in Baguio

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested an unlicensed pharmaceutical distributor during a sting operation in Baguio City, seizing an estimated P1.2-miklipworth of counterfeit medicines, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Thursday.

 

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspect as Erlinda Fernando Miguel, 57, a native of Guagua, Pampanga and of No.15 Tacay Road, Quezon Hill, Baguio City.

 

Belated reports reaching the PDEA main office in Quezon City showed that last August 13, around 3:30 p.m., joint elements of PDEA Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region and PDEA Special Enforcement Service Northern Luzon Special Enforcement Team nabbed Miguel after she sold 211.0696 grams of valium (Diazepam) tablets, 60 ml. Nubain ampoules, 200 ml. Valium (Diazepam) ampoules, 6.711 grams Stilnox tablets, and 92.7721 grams of Loratidine Pseudoephedrine Sulfate tablets, with an estimated total value of P50,125 to an undercover agent in her house in Quezon Hill.

 

A subsequent search on her residence led to the discovery of assorted counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs valued at more or less P1.2 million.

 

Miguel is now detained at the Baguio City Jail while cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against the suspect.