MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA), with support from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Philippine National Police (CIDG–PNP), raided two Solid Sea Products cold storage warehouses in Navotas City, uncovering piles of frozen agricultural and fishery goods allegedly kept in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said earlier inspections by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and the DA Inspectorate and Enforcement office found fishery and meat products “commingling in the same cold rooms,” a practice that could lead to “dangerous cross-contamination from harmful bacteria.”

The Navotas Regional Trial Court issued two search warrants for the facilities.

Tiu Laurel thanked the CIDG team led by NCR Regional Chief Police Colonel John K. Guiagui and PMaj. Bryan A. Salveron for assisting the DA Inspectorate and Enforcement group headed by Assistant Secretary Willie Ann M. Angsiy.

Upon serving the warrants, CIDG officers discovered “voluminous assorted frozen meat and agri-fishery products” stored throughout the warehouses. All items were photographed and documented in the presence of warehouse staff and barangay officials.

Solid Sea Products has yet to present the required documents covering the frozen goods, despite being given ample time to comply.

“The CIDG, assisted by the DA, applied for a search warrant for violations of the Food Safety Act of 2013, which we have now served,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that Solid Sea is also being investigated for potential violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which carries heavier penalties if the value of the seized products exceeds ₱10 million.

A BFAR inspection report cited numerous violations of the Food Safety Act, including the mixing of processed and unprocessed fish and meat products; unpacked items; the use of wooden pallets; foul odors; poor hygiene practices; and the storage of expired fishery commodities. Inspectors found frozen yellow croaker, Pangasius fillet, and half-shell scallops.

Meanwhile, the NMIS reported discovering expired frozen processed meats and aquamarine products, including pork trotters, loin, intestines, ribs, collar, spare ribs, suckling pigs, chicken breasts, goose, and duck wings.

Tiu Laurel said the operation was necessary to protect consumers, safeguard public and animal health, and curb illegal trade practices that undermine local producers.

“We need to make sure that both our consumers and food producers are protected from these injurious acts,” he said.