Photo By: Bureau of Customs
VALENZUELA CITY — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated an estimated ₱841 million worth of suspected counterfeit products during a raid on a warehouse in Valenzuela City, reinforcing the agency’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and fake imported goods.
The operation was launched after authorities received intelligence information regarding the alleged storage of counterfeit items in the facility. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) immediately conducted surveillance and validation operations prior to the enforcement activity.
On April 10, 2026, joint operatives armed with a Letter of Authority entered the warehouse and uncovered large volumes of suspected fake branded products. An inventory conducted by authorities showed the seizure of 1,460 boxes of perfumes and 364 boxes of lotions carrying labels of well-known international brands, including Jo Malone, Versace, and Cetaphil.
Photo By: Bureau of Customs
According to the BOC, the goods may have violated provisions of Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, particularly those concerning infringing goods, as well as relevant sections of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) related to seizure and forfeiture.
Following the operation, customs personnel, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), secured and sealed the warehouse pending further investigation. Authorities later issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on April 28, 2026.
The BOC stressed that counterfeit products pose risks to consumers, damage legitimate businesses, and weaken fair market competition. The bureau said it remains committed to strengthening enforcement measures against smuggling, intellectual property violations, and other forms of illegal trade.
The agency also noted that the operation aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify anti-smuggling efforts and strengthen border security across the country.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno praised District Collector Geoffrey de Vera of the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the CIIS-MICP team, and partner law enforcement agencies for the successful operation. He highlighted the importance of intelligence-based operations in combating illegal trade and reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to protecting consumers and legitimate businesses from counterfeit goods.