CIDG seizes fake pencils

About 200,000 fake Mongol pencils worth an estimated P900,000 were seized by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a raid in Binondo, Manila.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa said agents raided a warehouse in Barangay 287, Zone 207 on Juan Luna street, Binondo. The warehouse is allegedly owned by Nancy Go.

Verzosa said the operation was carried out by virtue of a search warrant issued by Manila Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr. following complaints by Amalgamated Specialties that a group was producing and distributing fake Mongol pencils.

Amalgamated Specialties is the only company authorized to manufacture and sell Mongol pencils in the country. The pencils are manufactured in Valenzuela City.

He said operatives of CIDG-Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division seized some 103,780 and 86,400 pieces of Mongol No. 2 and 3 pencils, respectively.

Verzosa said the fake pencils were made in China and smuggled shipped into country.

Since Verzosa assumed the post as CIDG chief, the unit has intensified its campaign against syndicated crimes and intellectual property infringement violators.

"Our other thrusts are the investigation and eventual prosecution of unsolved and intensified manhunt operations against wanted persons," he said.