P2.5-million computers seized in Manila

Operatives of the Optical Media Board seized P2.5-million worth of desktop computers, laptops, and data storage devices in separate raids in two stores in Manila on Friday.   

They raided JDT General Merchandise and California Computer Technology Inc. and seized 125 computers/laptops, 16 USB Flash drives, three bootable drives, 40 solid-state drivers, and 31 hard-disk drives.

OMB Chairman Christian Natividad said the two computer stores were placed under surveillance after their names were listed as clients of SENRAKUEN Technologies, owner of the warehouse raided by OMB agents in Marilao, Bulacan, on Oct. 14 and seized P200-million worth of smuggled used computers.

An OMB inspection team confirmed that JDT General Merchandise was engaged in the retail and wholesale distribution of recycled desktop CPUs and laptops sourced from SENRAKUEN Technologies.

The computers and laptops were pre-installed with Chinese operating systems and equipped with unregistered DVD-ROM and hard drives.

OMB agents caught California Computer Technology Inc. selling storage media devices such as solid-state drives, HD drives, bootable flash drives and OS activators without OMB licenses and permits. They are now facing criminal and administrative charges.

Natividad on Thursday issued a public warning against buyers of CPUs, laptops and monitors after busting a multi-million clandestine source of recycled computers that are being sold as ‘brand-new’ units.