By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has inspected and padlocked a warehouse in Malabon City that was storing an estimated PHP1.2 billion worth of suspected illicit vapes and counterfeit goods.
The items, which include disposable vapes, shoes, bags, and cosmetics, were seized on Tuesday, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a news release Wednesday.
The team also found appliances, garments, household products, and other general merchandise.
Rubio urged the public to remain vigilant against counterfeit goods, highlighting the serious health risks these products may pose.
“We see here some fake cosmetics being sold as branded goods. So, if these goods did not go through the proper testing and licensing, imagine the risk you are taking. Unfortunately, the global marketplace allows access to these goods, which unscrupulous vendors sell to unsuspecting customers. They profit from these at the risk of consumers’ health and safety,” he said in a statement.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso reported that they proceeded to the warehouse in Barangay Tanong, Malabon City immediately after receiving a Letter of Authority (LOA) from the Commissioner.
CIIS-Manila International Container Port (MICP) agents discovered disposable vapes bearing the brand Kylinbar that lack Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ICC stickers, along with shoe brands, such as Nike, New Balance, and Adidas, Apple AirPods and headsets, and counterfeit bags from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, stored in the warehouse.
“Upon receiving information about this warehouse, we completed the necessary paperwork and coordinated with relevant units and agencies. Fortunately, our Commissioner promptly issued the LOA, allowing us to inspect the warehouse today,” Enciso said.
The team temporarily padlocked and sealed the warehouse, with an inventory scheduled to be conducted by Customs examiners and agents from the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and storage representatives.
The warehouse owners and operators were given 15 days from the service of the LOA to present documents demonstrating that the imported goods were legitimately acquired and that the appropriate duties and taxes were paid, as mandated by Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Failure to provide the required documents could result in charges for violating Section 117 (regulated importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the CMTA.
They may also face charges under Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The CIIS-MICP team was supported by the ESS and the Philippine Coast Guard while serving the LOA to the warehouse representatives.
“While buying fake goods may seem like a bargain, we want to remind the public that it only fuels the criminals more. These are the same enterprises that get involved in money laundering, forced labor, and some even in organized crime. Smuggling is only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more that goes underneath this crime, so we need to stop where the money is coming from,” Customs Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said. (PNA)
