An estimated P3 billion worth of smuggled counterfeit cosmetic products, perfumes, and other merchandise were recently seized by the agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Tondo, Manila.
On November 20, armed with Letter of Authority Number 11-20-001-2017 issued by Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, operatives from the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) confiscated hundreds of boxes of counterfeit goods at units 8-A, 10-A, 10-B, 18-C, and 18-D of Vicente Tower in Tondo.
Lapeña, in a statement, said the operation was the result of the investigation and surveillance work by BOC agents three weeks prior to the raid.
Investigation showed that a certain Justine Lim was identified as the owner of the units and the counterfeit goods.
But the alleged owner was not arrested as the suspect was not in the premises during the raid. An investigation is now being conducted relating to the importer’s violation of Section 118 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The counterfeit goods originated from China, based on the findings of BOC’s Intellectual Property Rights Division.
Counterfeit goods are classified as prohibited goods under Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The BOC chief commended both ESS and CIIS for their combined efforts and strengthened anti-smuggling operations that led to the capture of the counterfeit goods.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
