Three people were arrested after authorities seized 260 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer worth about P258,000 during an operation in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, police said.

The suspects, identified as an agent and two helpers, were caught loading sacks of fertilizer onto a truck in Barangay San Ricardo on July 15. The operation was conducted jointly by the Talavera Police Station and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA).

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by the owner of a fertilizer company, who alleged that the suspects were selling fake versions of the company's products.

The company said it had suspended fertilizer production and sales since May 2026 while addressing regulatory requirements with the Food and Drug Administration. It was surprised to learn that products bearing its brand were still being sold at low prices.

"Matagal na po kaming naka-stop sa sales. Inaayos po namin sa FDA 'yan. Kaya po kami hindi nag-ooperate. Sila po ang nag-ooperate," Rolando Valino, the company owner, said.

FPA Agriculturist II Robilyn Sarmiento said the agency confirmed that the company had stopped production after inspecting its warehouse.

"At 'yun nga po, nai-confirm po namin 'yun dahil po kami ay nag-i-inspect sa kanilang warehouse at talaga naman pong walang produksyon," Sarmiento said.

To verify the complaint, the company bought samples of the fertilizer and submitted them to the FPA for examination. The products were later confirmed to be counterfeit, prompting the company to coordinate with authorities for a buy-bust operation that led to the arrests.

Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office Director, Col. Ritchie Claravall, said investigators are now tracing the source of the fake fertilizer.

"Right now po, imbestigahan po natin ito at alamin po natin kung saan po 'yung source po nito. For now, imbestigahan muna namin," Claravall said.

Authorities confiscated 260 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer with an estimated value of P258,000.

The three suspects are facing charges for violating the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

One of the suspects denied selling counterfeit fertilizer.

"Hindi naman po talaga ako nagbebenta niyan,” the suspect said.