Counterfeit luxury brand items, "ukay-ukay" (used clothing), and undocumented face masks worth P2.3 billion were recently uncovered from a warehouse in Mayzan, Valenzuela City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said.

Numerous fake bags and clothes bearing brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior; bales of used clothing and face masks were among the items found in the warehouse during an inspection by a composite team from the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

MICP-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Chief Alvin Enciso said the operation stemmed from a tip about the presence of counterfeit items and smuggled products in the warehouse.

“You know, in this job, you have to move fast. These smugglers are creative and resourceful so if you have no sense of urgency, you aren’t going to catch them red-handed. Whenever we receive information about a possible smuggled shipment, we are very keen to act on it as soon as possible,” Enciso said.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero then issued the letter of authority (LOA) to allow the inspection of the storage facility.

Upon finding proof of the smuggled products, MICP District Collector Romeo Allan Rosales issued a warrant of seizure and detention, citing violation of Section 224 in relation to Section 219 of Republic (RA) 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The CMTA refers to the misdeclaration and misclassification of goods in a shipment resulting in the deficiency between the duty and tax that should have been paid and the duty and tax actually paid.

Country representatives from Nike and Louis Vuitton also inspected the counterfeit products.

Rosales believes that the entry of face masks that don't possess the proper permits and licenses will have a negative effect on public health, while the smuggling of used clothing will impact the local clothing industries.

He said that the bureau will remain committed to cracking down on prohibited goods that enter the country’s ports.

"The BOC-MICP believes that as the economy begins to reopen at the tail end of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic, more smugglers will try to bring their products illegally into the country," he added.

Guerrero also maintained that the agency will clamp down on these illegal activities in BOC ports nationwide.

“We’re beginning to see the economy pick up. The local industries need all the help they can get from government agencies. We need to do our part in ensuring security and equality in the market. For us, this means curbing the trade of prohibited goods and making sure our local industries will thrive in the new normal,” the commissioner said.