An estimated P3 billion worth of smuggled counterfeit cosmetic products, perfumes, and other merchandise were seized late Monday afternoon by the agents of the Bureau of Customs in Tondo, Manila.
Armed with Letter of Authority Number 11-20-001-2017, issued by Customs chief, Isidro Lapeña, operatives from the agency’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) confiscated hundreds of boxes of counterfeit goods inside units 8-A, 10-A, 10-B, 18-C, and 18-D, Vicente Tower, 1275 Dagupan Street, Tondo, Manila.
Lapeña said the operation stemmed from the investigation conducted by BOC agents and surveillance has been conducted three weeks prior to the said raid.
Upon investigation, a certain Justine Lim was identified as the unit owner as well as the owner of the counterfeit goods.
No arrest was made, as the alleged owner of the units was not in the premises during the raid.
The goods are said to originate from China based on the findings of BOC personnel from the Intellectual Property Rights Division.
Counterfeit goods are classified as prohibited under the Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
An investigation is now being conducted in relation to the importer’s violation of Section 118 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The Commissioner commended the combined efforts of the ESS and CIIS for their strengthened anti-smuggling operations that resulted in the apprehension of billions of goods. (BOC-PR)
