31 August 2005
Indian in counterfeit drugs clamped in jail
AN Indian national and his driver, arrested here by the National Bureau of Investigation last August 20, remained in detention after it was determined that the regulated and prohibited drugs seized from them weighed more than 400 grams.
This was disclosed by Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standards and Regulations Division of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), who helped the NBI file the corresponding complaints against suspects Ramchand Dayaldas, 46, of Concepcion, Lubao, Pampanga; and his driver, Reynaldo Lozano, 41, of Guagua, Pampamga.
Among other charges, they are facing violation of Republic Act 9165 or the anti-drug law, aside from several counts for violations of Republic Act 8203 relative to sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines before the regional trial court here.
Seized from the two were 84 kinds of counterfeit medicines valued at from P2.5 to P3 million which were said to have originated from the United States, Canada, China, India, Thailand and Pakistan.
Among the items seized were ampules of valium, a restricted and regulated drug used as tranquilizer, which can be bought from accredited drug stores only with yellow prescriptions issued by physicians.
Also seized were tablets, ampules, capsules, vials and liquid medicines which are either antibiotics, anti-hypertensive and tranquilizer medicines, all imported and unregistered with the BFAD and apparently smuggled into the country.
Lawyer Jose Doloiras, NBI chief in Pangasinan, said the suspects were arrested while they were delivering counterfeit medicine to still unnamed doctors in Dagupan City who are possibly among 10 physicians listed in a supposed “blue book” seized last Aug. 5 from Glenda Verzosa, 30; and Alma Domingo, 28, suspected couriers of counterfeit medicines.
It was from the two women apparently that authorities learned of the date and time of the next delivery of counterfeit medicines so NBI agents were put on alert.
Both Verzosa and Domingo are now out on bail of P60,000 and P30,000, respectively.
At least 10 doctors from Pangasinan and two from La Union whose names were listed in the supposed “blue book” are now also under surveillance for possible involvement in the distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines.
This was disclosed by Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standards and Regulations Division of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), who helped the NBI file the corresponding complaints against suspects Ramchand Dayaldas, 46, of Concepcion, Lubao, Pampanga; and his driver, Reynaldo Lozano, 41, of Guagua, Pampamga.
Among other charges, they are facing violation of Republic Act 9165 or the anti-drug law, aside from several counts for violations of Republic Act 8203 relative to sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines before the regional trial court here.
Seized from the two were 84 kinds of counterfeit medicines valued at from P2.5 to P3 million which were said to have originated from the United States, Canada, China, India, Thailand and Pakistan.
Among the items seized were ampules of valium, a restricted and regulated drug used as tranquilizer, which can be bought from accredited drug stores only with yellow prescriptions issued by physicians.
Also seized were tablets, ampules, capsules, vials and liquid medicines which are either antibiotics, anti-hypertensive and tranquilizer medicines, all imported and unregistered with the BFAD and apparently smuggled into the country.
Lawyer Jose Doloiras, NBI chief in Pangasinan, said the suspects were arrested while they were delivering counterfeit medicine to still unnamed doctors in Dagupan City who are possibly among 10 physicians listed in a supposed “blue book” seized last Aug. 5 from Glenda Verzosa, 30; and Alma Domingo, 28, suspected couriers of counterfeit medicines.
It was from the two women apparently that authorities learned of the date and time of the next delivery of counterfeit medicines so NBI agents were put on alert.
Both Verzosa and Domingo are now out on bail of P60,000 and P30,000, respectively.
At least 10 doctors from Pangasinan and two from La Union whose names were listed in the supposed “blue book” are now also under surveillance for possible involvement in the distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines.
