The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday deterred an attempt to pilfer Customs-seized goods in a Pasay warehouse and arrested 67 Filipinos and 10 Chinese nationals.
According to BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) director Verne Enciso, the warehouse was previously sealed and padlocked during a bureau operation against intellectual property rights infringing goods, particularly clothing apparel, footware 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,” Enciso said in a statement.
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The BOC said that during the operation conducted by the bureau’s Intellectual Property Rights Division and the CIIS-Manila International Container Port, the suspects were caught breaking the BOC seal of the warehouse located on M. Acosta Steet, Barangay 77 in Pasay City, and carrying the forfeited goods into a closed van.
Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said the suspects would soon undergo inquest proceedings. —TINA G. SANTOS