Indian mother and son arrested for selling P1.3M smuggled cooking oil in Isabela

Santiago City, Isabela - A mother and son from India were arrested on June 26 in Santiago City, Isabela, after authorities confiscated from them P1.3 million worth of unregistered cooking oil. 

The two were apprehended in a joint buy-bust operation led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Barangay Patul, Santiago, on said day. 

The mother was identified as alias “Kulvinder,” 47, while the son is alias “Kamaljot,” 22. 

In its report on July 1, the CIDG said the operatives seized 273 containers of cooking oil from the suspects, which were reportedly being sold without undergoing any safety inspection or FDA approval. 

Such a product, not having passed the required FDA evaluation, may contain harmful ingredients or may have been improperly produced or stored, putting consumers at risk, hence illegal. 

The suspects violated Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the FDA Act of 2009, leading to their arrest. 

According to the CIDG, the buy-bust operation was conducted after intelligence reports confirmed the illegal selling of the smuggled oil. 

Following the arrest, CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz urged the public to report individuals selling unregistered products to protect others from health risks.

“We urge the public to report to CIDG all criminalities and illegal trade of consumer products in your localities, and the CIDG will do the rest,” said the official, as quoted in the agency’s report.