MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday reported the apprehension of counterfeit items worth PHP100 million in Manila.
In a statement, the bureau, through the Manila International Container Port (MICP), seized fake items in a storage facility in Tondo on Jan. 25.
The team, led by MICP’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) through a letter of authority (LOA) issued by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, inspected the facility which revealed the existence intellectual property infringing items such as bags bearing the name Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Channel.
Unregistered face shields, face masks, fake medicines, and fake soaps were also apprehended.
Among the face masks discovered were those with the brand of AIDELAI which is a prohibited brand as per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory No. 2021-0011.
Further investigation and inventory are being conducted for the identification of those responsible as well as the filing of charges for violation of RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and The Intellectual Property Law of the Philippines.
The operation was in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Coast Guard.
The BOC said it remains steadfast in preventing the proliferation of counterfeit and unauthorized goods in the country as well as safeguarding public welfare under the guidance of Guerrero. (PNA)
