₱740 million smuggled fake goods, firecrackers seized

COMBINED law enforcement agents from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP-CIDG), backed by elements from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swooped down on a warehouse in Imus City, Cavite where they found more than ₱700 million wort of fake consumer footwears.

Acting on the information provided by the CIDG Cavite Field Unit, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno immediately authorized the operation that targeted the warehouse located along Salud Road, Bgy. Alapan II, Imus City last August 3.

The composite team is consisted of personnel from the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Port of Batangas, CIIS Port of Manila, CIIS-MICP, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and Legal Service, alongside representatives from the PNP-CIDG Cavite Provincial Field Unit, PNP Imus Component City Police Station, and the PCG.

The initial inventory said among the items found are imitations of popular brands such as Adidas, On Cloud, New Balance, Asics, Crocs, Nike, Jordan, Puma, Converse, Skechers, and Louis Vuitton.

Commissioner Nepomuceno thanked the CIDG and partner agencies for their timely intelligence support and close coordination.

“Sa ngalan ng Bureau of Customs, nagpapasalamat tayo sa CIDG at sa iba pa nating partner agencies sa kanilang mahalagang impormasyon at pakikipagtulungan.

“This shows the value of strong inter-agency cooperation in preventing illicit goods from reaching the market and protecting the interests of Filipino consumers and legitimate businesses,” he said.

₱40 million misdeclared firecracker shipment seized

The following day, enterprising smugglers looking this early to make a killing during the Christmas season revelry where frustrated after Commissioner Nepomuceno personally led in the inspection of ₱40 million worth of firecrackers and pyrotechnic at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) loaded in two container vans from mainland China.

MICP District Collector Atty. Geoffrey K. De Vera IV immediately hold the release of the shipment on receiving derogatory information about the containers’ actual content.

The first shipment, declared as “shelves,” was voluntarily abandoned by the consignee, while the second shipment was declared as “ceramic cups.”

The identity of the erring consignees and customs brokers were not disclosed, however.

“Kung makikita natin, epektibo ang screening process natin.

“Iba’t ibang klaseng kontrabando ang nahaharang natin, kaya sana itigil na ng mga smugglers ang illegal na importasyon.

“Mauubos lang ang puhunan niyo,” Commissioner Nepomuceno commented after the inspection.