M fake products seized in Customs raid

Hundreds of boxes of fake products worth 1522 million were recently uncovered inside a warehouse on Cuneta Avenue, Pasay City.

The seized products, according to the Bureau of Customs, were packages of fake branded apparel such as Lee, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Vans, including fake Fitflop, and Crocs sandals. Other items seized are nonbranded watches and shoes without the required import permit.

The seized counterfeit products reportedly came from China, the agency said.

Agents from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and Enforcement and Security Service discovered the fake goods inside the 10 units of Warehouse 142 in Pasay City.

A concerned citizen reported to the bureau that fake products are stored in the said warehouse, Deputy Commissioner Ricardo Quinto, of Intelligence Group, said.

On Thursday, armed with Letter of Authority no. 12-13-2017-001 issued by Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, Customs agents and members of the Pasay City police proceeded with the operation. Officials and representatives from the BOC-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) and Formal Entry Division examiners were also present during the inspection.

BOC agents identified the warehouse administrator as Lita Liao.

Liao, however, said that the units were leased to a certain Mr. Ang, Mr. Gee, and Mr. Ty – not their real names. No one was arrested because the unit owners were not on the premises during the raid.

The unit owners would be charged with the violation Section 118 (f) of Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code.