AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Authorities seized P1 billion worth of counterfeit goods, mostly footwear and apparel, from 17 warehouses in Parañaque City Tuesday morning, the National Bureau of Investigation said (NBI).
“Halos ito na yata ang pinakamalaki na pinasok ng joint team ng IPO (Intellectual Property Office), Bureau of Customs (BOC) at NBI dahil sa [dami ng] nakita naming mga sako. Parang nationwide operation ito,” lawyer Ruel Lasala, NBI deputy director, told Inquirer Radio 990AM.
(This is the biggest raid conducted by the joint team of the IPO, BOC and NBI because of the amount of goods we saw. It appears to be a nationwide operation.)
He said the goods were meant to be distributed all over the country, based on the information tags attached to the containers.
The warehouses, allegedly rented by Chinese nationals, contained knock-offs of high end brands.
Lasala said their surveillance work lasted two months and was made possible with the help of reliable informants.
The BOC then issued a warrant of seizure and detention that allowed the team to enter the compounds and extract the items.
Lasala said the NBI would continue to investigate and find those behind the smuggling and distribution of counterfeit goods. In the meantime, the items will be stored at the Customs warehouse.
He also said the BOC was investigating how the items were smuggled into the country.