[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seong-yeol] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused a shortage of masks, three representatives of manufacturing and distribution companies who sold defective masks were arrested by the police.
The Intelligent Crime Investigation Unit of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 20th that they have booked three individuals?A, the representative of a mask manufacturing company; B, a wholesaler; and C, a retailer?on charges of fraud and violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and plan to send them to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.
Although the masks had received KF80 certification, they were confirmed to be defective in additional inspections by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The suspects are accused of distributing 55,000 masks (worth about 70 million KRW) that were ordered to be fully recalled and destroyed in November last year as if they were normal products.
With the surge in mask demand, A supplied the defective masks to B, who then supplied them to C.
The 55,000 masks sold by C on an online shopping mall were completely sold out within a week.
The police believe that the suspects knowingly distributed defective masks for profit.
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