Hundreds of boxes of fake products estimated to be worth P521.93 million were seized by the agents of the Bureau of Customs on Thursday in Pasay City.
Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) uncovered fake goods stored in the ten units of Warehouse 142 at Cuneta Avenue, Pasay City.
Found inside the warehouses are packages of counterfeit apparel of brands such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Vans, including fake fitflop, and Crocs sandals. Other items seized are non-branded watches and comfort shoes without the required import permit.
According to Deputy Commissioner Ricardo Quinto of the Intelligence Group, Customs agents acted on the tip from a concerned citizen who reported that fake products are stored in the said warehouse.
Armed with Letter of Authority no. 12-13-2017-001 issued by Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, Customs agents proceeded with the operation together with Pasay City local police. Officials and representatives from the BOC-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) and examiners from the Formal Entry Division were also present during the inspection.
Only the warehouse administrator, identified as Lita Liao, was present during the raid. According to Liao, the units were leased to certain individuals she can recall as Mr. Ang, Mr. Gee, and Mr. Ty – not their real names. The unit owners were not on the premises when the raid was conducted.
The seized goods reportedly came from China.
The unit owners will be charged with violations of Section 118 (f) of Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code.
“I challenge the BOC intelligence and enforcement groups to always be on guard and be relentless in our anti-smuggling operations. We are here to also protect the consumers and the legitimate business community from these fake products,” said Lapeña in a statement sent to Quinto.
