BOC: Clandestine factory in Pampanga produced fake, toxic insecticides

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has uncovered a warehouse in Pampanga apparently acting as a clandestine factory manufacturing supposedly fake and toxic insecticides.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BOC said the operatives of its Enforcement Group implemented last Friday a Letter of Authority signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero against a warehouse suspected as a factory for insecticides in San Simon town, Pampanga.

"The inspection turned into a raid after customs personnel has confirmed that the warehouse, located at Block 12, Lots 1A and 1B in Global Aseana Business Park, San Simon was converted into a factory for aerosol insecticides," it said.

The BOC said that the machines and chemicals used in the manufacture of aerosol insecticides are imported from China.

"Workers at the warehouse failed to present a Certificate of Payment for the imported machines and raw materials," it said.

"Also, no business permit or permit to operate was presented authorizing them to produce insect repellents and other chemicals used to control pests and/or insects," it added.

The owner was not around during the raid, according to the bureau.

The BOC discovered 10 sets of machines forming two production lines for labeling the aerosol insecticide products with the brand name “BAOLLIAI."

The Customs also seized around 50 drums filled with chemicals, particularly cypermethrin and polyaluminum chloride; various packaging materials and labels bearing the same brand name; and at least 2,000 boxes containing finished products.

"A quick online search on the brand name revealed that it is a knockoff of 'BAOLILAI,' a household insecticide product that was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past years for containing cypermethrin," the BOC said.

FDA described the chemical as a “broad spectrum” pesticide with neurotoxic effects on rodents, aquatic organisms, mammals, and even humans.

"FDA advisories and various news reports from 2012 to 2015 warned against unregistered insecticide products such as Baolilai, for containing the noxious chemical, dangerous to both humans and animals," it said. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News