Customs officials discovered about PHP 10 billion worth of counterfeit signature bags, shoes, and other products at a storage facility in Binondo, Manila during a raid on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs said that a raiding team led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service—Manila International Container Port (CIIS—MICP) carried out the letter of authority signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio after receiving derogatory information on the same day.
The team discovered imported assorted clothing, apparel, shoes, general merchandise, kitchenware, electronics, and beauty products after inspecting the warehouse.
Nike, Coach, Adidas, Guess, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Gucci have all had their trademarks violated by these counterfeit items.
The team then padlocked and sealed the warehouse for the time being.
A customs examiner will conduct an inventory of the goods, which will be witnessed by CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service agents.
According to the BOC, the owners of the goods would be required to present importation documents or proof of payment.
If the shipments are discovered to be missing proper documentation, seizure, and forfeiture proceedings will be initiated against them for a violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, and Undervaluation in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The operation was also coordinated with the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Aduana.
