BOC seizes P10 billion fake goods

MANILA, Philippines — Government agents confiscated counterfeit signature bags, shoes and other products amounting to at least P10 billion during a raid on a storage facility in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday.

In a statement yesterday, the Bureau of Custos (BOC) said a team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS) padlocked the warehouse pending inventory of the fake items.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as the Philippine Coast Guard.

Upon inspection, the BOC said the raiders found fake imported brands of shoes, clothing apparel, beauty products, kitchenware and electronics.

The counterfeit goods have infringed trademarks such as Adidas, Coach, Christian Dior, Guess, Gucci, Nike and Louis Vuitton, the BOC said.

Authorities conducted the raid based on a letter of authority signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy said they are using all available resources to prevent attempts to smuggle counterfeit goods into the country.

Uy said an inventory of the seized goods would be conducted by a Customs examiner, to be witnessed by agents of the CIIS as well as Enforcement and Security Service.

The BOC said the owners of the goods would be asked to present importation documents or proof of payment.