NBI recovers sea corals from shellcraft factory

An undetermined value of sea corals were seized by the National Bureau of Investigation from a shellcraft factory in Lapu-Lapu City that exports fashion jewelry.

Factory owner Cielo Ramirez and her live-in partner who is a foreign national were placed under arrest for violation of Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

NBI operatives swooped down on Ramirez’s factory in Kadulang, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City shortly before noon yesterday on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Geraldine Faith Econg of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

Lawyer Bernard de la Cruz got a tip several days ago of the alleged use of sea corals, which is protected under the Fisheries Code, as raw materials in the suspect’s fashion jewelry business. Surveillance operations ensued that resulted to the suspects’ arrest yesterday.

The NBI seized 104 sacks of special species of sea corals, several booklets of catalogs of finished products, one box of assorted coral products, 22 gallons of laminating chemicals and several equipment used in the making of coral jewelry.

The factory, which has a business name of Rhicamars Fashion, Jewelry Import Export, was found to be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has been exporting fashion jewelry made of corals to different parts of the world.

The NBI has already coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the disposition of the seized corals. — Fred P. Languido/LPM