BOC inspection yields P150M in fake antigen test kits, meds

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Government operatives found P150 million worth of Clungene COVID-19 antigen test kits, counterfeit LianHua Chinese herbal medicines, fake 3M N95 face masks, and other counterfeit goods. Photo from Bureau of Customs.
  • The Bureau of Customs seized on January 21 an estimated P150 million worth of fake COVID-19 antigen test kits, counterfeit LianHua Chinese medicines and face masks, and copyright-infringed branded goods
  • The goods were discovered in a Manila warehouse
  • Also found were intellectual property rights-infringed goods such as Nike, Fila, Converse and Adidas-branded apparel as well as Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags, wallets, phone accessories
  • The Chinese national said to own the warehouse was arrested and will face various cases for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized an estimated P150 million worth of fake COVID-19 antigen test kits, counterfeit LianHua Chinese medicines, counterfeit face masks, and copyright-infringed branded goods from a Manila warehouse.

The seizure on January 21 led to the arrest of a Chinese national who issaid to be the owner of the warehouse, BOC said in a statement.

A team—composed of members of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port, National Bureau of Investigation-Special Action Unit, and Philippine Coast Guard—conducted the inspection of the warehouse located at 555 Carlos Palanca, San Miguel, Manila City.

Found at the warehouse were P150 million worth of Clungene COVID-19 antigen test kits, counterfeit LianHua Chinese herbal medicines, and fake 3M N95 face masks.

The team also found intellectual property rights-infringed goods such as Nike, Fila, Converse and Adidas-branded apparel as well as Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags, wallets, phone accessories, and others.

BOC said the arrested Chinese national will face various cases in relation to the violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation/Exportation) and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) paragraph (l) (5), in relation to Section 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) paragraph (e) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The owner is also accused of violating Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations.

The team has temporarily padlocked and sealed the warehouse to secure the imported products while the customs examiner completes inventory of the goods.

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