Photo: Bureau of Customs
Manila – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, successfully carried out an enforcement operation in Valenzuela City that led to the discovery of an estimated ₱705 million worth of counterfeit perfumes and cosmetic products believed to be in violation of customs laws and intellectual property regulations.
The operation was initiated through intelligence reports from the Office of the Commissioner, which were subsequently validated through surveillance activities, field verification, and coordination among concerned enforcement agencies.
Acting on the verified intelligence, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) conducted discreet monitoring of a warehouse in Valenzuela City suspected of storing large volumes of counterfeit luxury-inspired perfumes and unregulated cosmetic items.
Photo: Bureau of Customs
On April 10, 2026, a Letter of Authority—issued and approved on the same day by the Commissioner—was served, enabling the immediate conduct of enforcement action. The operation was executed by a composite team from CIIS-MICP and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS)-MICP, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (CIDG-PNP).
Upon inspection, authorities uncovered substantial quantities of counterfeit cosmetic products and luxury-branded imitation perfumes bearing markings of several internationally known brands, including Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Bulgari, Giorgio Armani, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Paco Rabanne, Issey Miyake, Jo Malone, Davidoff, Lanvin Éclat, Victoria’s Secret, and others. The total estimated value of the seized items is ₱705,168,000.00.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the urgency and decisiveness of the operation, noting that swift action was taken once intelligence was confirmed and concerns arose regarding possible movement or concealment of goods inside the warehouse.
“We acted immediately on validated intelligence. When access to the warehouse was being delayed, we secured the necessary authority without hesitation to ensure lawful entry and proper inspection. Rapid and coordinated enforcement is essential to prevent the possible transfer or concealment of illicit goods,” the Commissioner said.
The Bureau of Customs reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations and strengthened inter-agency coordination in its continuing campaign against smuggling and the entry of counterfeit goods into the country.