Photo from Bureau of Customs
MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled items amounting to P1.5 billion were seized in Valenzuela, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Friday.
The bureau said the smuggled imported goods, which infringe intellectual property rights, were seized inside a warehouse in Valenzuela City on July 13.
BOC said the seized products bear the brands of Christian Dior, Gucci, Michael Kors, Coach, Guess, Nike, Adidas, Hello Kitty, and Jordan. Other products seized were soaps and lotions bearing the brands of Cetaphil, Safeguard, Nivea, Johnson and Johnson, among others.
The bureau said that imported construction materials, housewares, kitchenware, household appliances, and consumer electronics lighting products were also seen inside the warehouse.
There was also a hidden storage facility in the warehouse containing raw materials of cigarettes such as tobacco filler and filter rods.
“Goods found are estimated to be worth 1.5 billion pesos. The team temporarily placed padlocks and seals on the entrance and exit gates of the warehouse,” the bureau said in a statement.
The bureau said that a warrant of seizure and detention shall be issued against the subject goods for violating Republic Act No. 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). — Iliana Padigos, INQUIRER.net intern