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About P1.2 billion worth of smuggled goods were seized by the Bureau of Customs during a recent inspection of warehouses in Malabon
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Authorities found counterfeit products, tax stamp-less vapes, and unregulated imports
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The operation was led by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port with Philippine Coast Guard support
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The warehouses were sealed and goods faced seizure under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and intellectual property laws
About P1.2 billion worth of smuggled goods were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during a recent inspection of warehouses in Malabon, the agency said in a statement.
The operation led to the discovery of counterfeit products, disposable vapes without Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and Department of Trade and Industry Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers, and other unregulated imports such as appliances, garments, cosmetics, and household products.
The March 11 operation was led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) in coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service-MICP and the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana.
Authorities secured and padlocked the warehouses pending a full inventory. A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued for the confiscated items under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act No. 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The warehouse owners and operators have been given 15 days from the issuance of the Letter of Authority to provide documentation proving the lawful acquisition of the imported goods and payment of the necessary duties and taxes.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting businesses, consumers, and national revenue through sustained anti-smuggling measures.
The raid aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for stricter enforcement against smuggling and intellectual property violations, BOC said in a statement.
MICP district collector Rizalino Torralba highlighted the economic implications of the operation, emphasizing the importance of blocking illegal goods before they infiltrate the local market and affect legitimate businesses.
