BACOLOD City — A 64-year-old Chinese national and a 32-year-old woman were arrested after authorities seized an estimated P470,400 worth of allegedly counterfeit Maggi Magic Sarap seasoning products during an entrapment operation in Barangay Mansilingan on August 5.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod City Field Unit conducted the operation along the Economic Highway from about 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m., in coordination with the CIDG Regional Special Operations Team-Negros Island Region, Police Station 7 and representatives of Nestlé Philippines Inc.
CIDG-Bacolod chief Police Maj. Christopher Dulagan said the operation stemmed from a complaint filed by the company over the alleged widespread distribution and sale of counterfeit Maggi Magic Sarap products in Bacolod City.
The suspects, identified only by the aliases “Shi,” 64, a Chinese national and resident of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, and “Chen,” 32, a Filipina and resident of Barangay Granada, Bacolod City, allegedly sold the products for P2,000 to P2,500 per box, significantly lower than the estimated P4,800 price of genuine products.
An undercover police officer allegedly purchased 30 boxes of the seasoning products using a genuine P500 bill and boodle money, leading to the suspects’ arrest. A third person allegedly involved in the distribution remains at large.
Authorities recovered the 30 boxes used in the entrapment operation, 33 sacks containing two boxes each, another box of seasoning products, and 35 boxes of assorted allegedly counterfeit condiments.
Three mobile phones, a Mitsubishi L300 van, an Isuzu pickup, and the buy-bust money were also seized.
CIDG said it initially conducted a test-buy operation on July 15 and submitted the purchased products to the company’s packaging team for authentication. The subsequent technical examination confirmed that the products were counterfeit, according to the police report.
Investigators found that the allegedly counterfeit products were sourced from Manila and transported to Bacolod aboard a cargo vessel before being distributed through social media and other channels.
Dulagan said consumers may distinguish genuine products by checking packaging details, including an engraved expiration date and the words “Egg” and “Allergen Information” printed in bold capital letters in the ingredients section.
He also said the counterfeit seasoning reportedly had a noticeable unpleasant or fishy smell.
Authorities warned consumers against buying counterfeit food products, noting that their ingredients, preparation and storage conditions have not been verified and may pose health risks.
The arrested suspects were brought to the CIDG-Bacolod office and are facing complaints for alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition under Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines./PN
