Under the strong leadership of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) successfully conducted an enforcement operation in Valenzuela City, resulting in the discovery of approximately ₱705 million worth of assorted counterfeit perfumes and cosmetic products suspected to be in violation of customs laws.
The operation stemmed from intelligence originating from the Office of the Commissioner, which was validated through field verification and inter-agency coordination.
Acting on the Commissioner’s intelligence report, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) conducted surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations on a warehouse in Valenzuela City suspected of storing counterfeit luxury perfumes and other unregulated cosmetic products.
A Letter of Authority—approved by Nepomuceno on the same day—was recently issued, enabling the immediate conduct of enforcement action.
It was promptly served by a composite team composed of personnel from CIIS-MICP and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS)-MICP, with support from operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (CIDG-PNP).
Initial inspection of the warehouse revealed large volumes of counterfeit cosmetic items and luxury-inspired perfumes bearing the marks of various international 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, among others.
“Once the intelligence was validated and access to the warehouse was being delayed, we secured the necessary authority without hesitation so we could properly enter and inspect the premises.”
Based on initial assessment, the total value of the seized goods is estimated at ₱705,168,000.
“We made sure to act on the information immediately. Once the intelligence was validated and access to the warehouse was being delayed, we secured the necessary authority without hesitation so we could properly enter and inspect the premises,” the customs chief said.
“This kind of swift, coordinated action is crucial to prevent counterfeit goods from being moved or concealed.”
“This kind of swift, coordinated action is crucial to prevent counterfeit goods from being moved or concealed,” he added.
The Bureau of Customs reiterates its firm commitment, under the directive of the Commissioner, to strengthen intelligence-driven enforcement operations and sustain its intensified campaign against smuggling and the entry of counterfeit goods into the country.
