By Benjamin Pulta

(File logo)

MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday reported that a raid on an establishment in Pasay City yielded fake branded products worth PHP42 million.

The operation, carried out on Jan. 21, stemmed from a complaint filed by the authorized Gucci representative regarding the increasing number of fake products bearing the luxury brand’s trademark in the market.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,675 pieces of counterfeit Gucci products with an estimated value of PHP42,000,000 from Stratum Merchandising.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the NBI said it seized 22 tons of smuggled frozen meat from China and arrested five suspects in an entrapment operation in Caloocan City on Jan. 20.

The operation was launched following a tip from the National Meat Inspection Service about illegal meat being sold way below market price.

The NBI said a certain Kiel Rozzan Barbado Mendoza arranged a meetup to deliver 75 sacks of smuggled meat with a total weight of 1,500 kilograms for an initial cash payment of PHP50,000.

Arrested in the sting operation were Melba Cabenian, Mark Christian Mission, Bregido Elbiña, Rinie Sanchez and Ana Cristina Galvez. They are facing multiple charges under the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines (Republic Act 10536) and the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act of 2024 (RA 12022).

Mendoza, however, remains at large. (PNA)