BOC seizes ₱841 million of fake luxury goods in Valenzuela
At A Glance
- Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents intercepted over 1,800 boxes of counterfeit luxury goods valued at ₱841 million in Valenzuela City, marking a massive seizure of fake Versace, Jo Malone, and Cetaphil products intended for the local market
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BOC Seizes ₱841-M Worth of Counterfeit Luxury Goods in Valenzuela
Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents intercepted over 1,800 boxes of counterfeit luxury goods valued at ₱841 million in Valenzuela City, marking a massive seizure of fake Versace, Jo Malone, and Cetaphil products intended for the local market.
In a May 28 statement, the BOC said the operation was initiated after the bureau received “derogatory information regarding the alleged storage of illicit goods in a warehouse in Valenzuela.”
Upon receiving the intelligence report, an enforcement team led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) conducted extensive surveillance and on-site validation to confirm the claims. Joint operatives then raided the warehouse on April 10.
According to the bureau, the search led to the discovery of “1,460 boxes of perfumes and 364 boxes of lotions bearing markings of various international brands, including Jo Malone, Versace, and Cetaphil, among others.”
Following the inventory, the warehouse was sealed and secured by customs personnel with the support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). A warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) was subsequently issued on April 28.
The BOC stated that the items were seized for possible violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“These unlawful activities distort fair competition,” the country’s second-largest tax collection arm said, adding that the agency remains focused on “protecting legitimate trade and disrupting illicit supply chains.”
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno emphasized the “effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in identifying and neutralizing illicit trade activities” and reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to “proactive” enforcement against smuggling. (Derco Rosal)