The Bureau of Customs – Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) conducted inspections at warehouses in Caloocan and Bulacan, where they uncovered various smuggled goods, including counterfeit underwear, socks, and assorted merchandise valued at P7.3 billion.
Armed with a Letter of Authority, the MICP team swooped down on March 20, 2024, warehouses in Caloocan City and Bulacan. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and local barangay officials assisted the BOC during the operation and warehouse inspections.
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS-MICP) and Enforcement Security Service (ESS-MICP) agents subsequently found inside the warehouses a large volume of intellectual property rights infringing items, various kitchenware, appliances, apparel, toys, computer accessories, and cosmetics.
Following the inspection, the team secured the warehouses pending inventory of the items by customs examiners, to be witnessed by CIIS-MICP agents and warehouse representatives.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio affirmed the Bureau’s dedication in safeguarding Filipinos and preventing the entry of illegally smuggled goods, stating, “We are determined to stop these smugglers in their tracks. Our strengthened collaboration with law enforcement agencies will crack down these perpetrators and prevent the proliferation of infringing goods in local markets.”
The MICP District, under the leadership of Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, will continue to implement the reforms of the Commissioner and ensure that MICP focuses on preventing the smuggling of illegal goods, in addition to its mandates of revenue collection and trade facilitation.
