Authorities arrested two people for allegedly selling imported used clothing or ‘ukay-ukay’ illegally worth more than P2 million.

They were arrested during an entrapment operation in Butuan City.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of selling ukay-ukay without proper permits and documents.

Seized from the suspects were sales invoices, receipts, and bundles of assorted imported used clothing, including towels, pillowcases, among others.

The suspects are facing charges for alleged violation of RA 4653 or “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags.”

“The public must be discerning in buying “ukay-ukay” as illegally imported second-hand clothing may pose health and hygiene risks,” CIDG Director, Major General Nicolas Torre III, said.

“We urge everyone to report unauthorized sellers of ukay-ukay in your localities and CIDG will do the rest,” he added.