P70M worth of smuggled fake goods uncovered in Binondo

Around P70 million worth of smuggled fake goods were uncovered in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday during an inspection by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In a statement, the BOC said they found the suspected fake items inside an estimated 70 storage units in a shopping mall in Chinatown.

Photo: Bureau of Customs

Photo: Bureau of Customs

The operation was conducted after the BOC received complaints and information from intellectual property firm Baranda & Associates.

The suspected replica items bore the logos of brands like Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, Dove, Lux, Prada, Gucci, and Chanel.

The BOC said it will send representative samples of the smuggled items to the respective brand owners for verification of authenticity.

The importation of infringing goods is prohibited under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

On October 18, the BOC turned over around P58 million worth of smuggled and likely fake goods to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines for condemnation. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News