4 caught with P5 million COVID-19 test kits

MANILA, Philippines — At least P5.05 million worth of COVID-19 rapid test kits were confiscated from four persons in Pasig on Tuesday, police said yesterday.

Paul Henry Ferraz, 34; Agrifino Lozanta, 23; Paul Ryan Matillano, 27, and Patrick Henry Caro, 27, were apprehended by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group during an entrapment operation in Barangay Kapitolyo, according to CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro.

Police said Ferraz is the president and owner of Celltech Applied Sciences Inc. The other suspects were employed by Ferraz.

The operation stemmed from information that the suspects were selling COVID-19 rapid test kits online.

The CIDG set up a sting after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the suspects were not authorized to sell and distribute COVID-19 test kits.

The suspects were placed under arrest after they allegedly sold 120 boxes of Kunsong COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits valued at P494,000.

Twenty more boxes of rapid test kits worth P4.56 million were seized from the suspects, the CIDG said.

The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic At 9711 or the FDA Act.

The CIDG conducted the operation in coordination with the Philippine Air Force.