THEFT FOILED. Some of the 67 Filipinos and 10 Chinese nationals arrested by joint teams of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Coast Guard for alleged theft of seized counterfeit goods at a warehouse in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 26, 2023). The suspects were temporarily detained inside the warehouse for documentation pending investigation. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers foiled an attempted theft of Customs-seized goods in a warehouse in Pasay City and arrested 67 Filipinos and 10 Chinese nationals on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement Thursday night, BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said the warehouse, located at 112 M. Acosta St., Barangay 77, Pasay City, was previously sealed and padlocked during a BOC operation against intellectual property rights infringing goods, specifically clothing apparel, footwear and bags.
“We received information from a well-placed asset that there was an ongoing theft in a Pasay warehouse we have previously sealed and padlocked. This warehouse had been subjected previously to a Letter of Authority,” he said.
Members of the CIIS of the Manila International Container Port and the BOC's Intellectual Property Rights Division, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and village officials, apprehended the suspects who were caught breaking the BOC seal at the warehouse and were seen carrying the forfeited illicit goods from the upper floors down to the ground floor.
An L300 van with plate number TNP 882 was also spotted being loaded with the forfeited goods.
The suspects were temporarily detained inside the warehouse for documentation pending investigation.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, meanwhile, said the suspects would soon undergo inquest proceedings.
“More than stopping these illegal activities and seizing contraband products, we must also be at the forefront of ensuring that these seized items will remain in our custody until the cases are done and we are instructed by the proper courts on how to go about disposing or liquidating them,” Rubio said.
On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy assured that all forfeited items were accounted for through an on-the-spot verification. (PNA)
