Customs apprehends 25-M smuggled counterfeit footwear
Customs operatives apprehended today approximately P25 million worth of counterfeit footwear at a house located at#56 Russel Avenue, Baclaran,PasayCity.
Upon the directive of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon, a team from the Intelligence Group earlier conducted an inspection to implement the letter of Authority (LOA) from the Commissioner in pursuant of Section 2536 of the TCCP.
The Letter of Authority states that “The Commissioner of Customs and Collector of Customs and/or any other customs officer, with the prior authorization in writing by the Commissioner, may demand evidence of payment of duties and taxes on foreign articles openly offered for sale or kept in storage, and if no such evidence can be produced, such articles may be seized and subjected to forfeiture proceedings…”
The team coordinated with the Philippine National Police through theirTacticalOperationsCenterlocated at thePasayCity Halland the Barangay authorities inRussel Avenuewhich has jurisdiction over the subject premises. The team then proceeded to the given address and served the LOA to the representative of the owners, Ms. Marilyn Santos, who was given a copy of the Letter of Authority and Mission Order.
Apprehending units under the Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Danny Lim found the imported materials, mostly fake footwear bearing the brand of Adidas, Sport, Moda, Nike, Crocs, Vans, Converse, Havaianas, etc. stored in a room as reported.
The team conducted an initial inventory of the items stored and found that the goods were imported without proper payment of duties and taxes in violation of R.A. No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of thePhilippines.
Customs authorities demanded proof of payment of duties and taxes but nothing was presented to them.
A Warrant of seizure and Detention was immediately issued against the items.
Commissioner Biazon commended the IG team and ordered all Customs offices to double efforts in examining cargo manifests and other pertinent documents of all incoming shipments to prevent any illegal entry of counterfeit goods in the market.
