Thousands of fake cigarette tax stamps, ukay-ukay, cigarettes, rice and other fake goods were recently found by the Bureau of Customs–Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) inside warehouses in Quezon City.
“The fake cigarette tax stamps are estimated to be worth P8.5 billion, while the ukay-ukay, cigarettes, rice and other fake goods are valued at P150 million,” said ESS Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
The apprehension is the result of the tip from an informant that fake cigarette tax stamps are stored inside various warehouses in PTFC compound located at No. 802 Marvex Drive corner A. Bonifacio Ave., Quezon City.
Acting on the tip, Commissioner Isidro Lapeña issued on August 1, 2018, a Letter of Authority number 08-01-045-2018 to investigate and inspect the compound.
On a August 2 visit, four warehouses were found to contain highly dutiable goods.
Three warehouses stored 131 sacks of fake cigarette tax stamps, 50 master cases of cigarettes, more than 1,000 sacks of rice, various used clothes, fake wallets, bags, and other fake goods without proof of payment of duties and taxes.
Also found were 20 boxes of wine bottles with jewelries inside suspected to be of high value.
“These cigarette tax stamps were verified as fake through the taggant reader, an equipment used by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to test the authenticity of cigarette tax stamps,” said Lapeña.
BOC spokesperson lawyer Erastus Sandino Austria said the bureau will coordinate with the BIR with regard to the discovery of fake cigarette tax stamps.
The BOC-ESS also reported that the three warehouses are owned by On Time Trading owned by certain Franco Wong, Patriana Navarro Wong, Johnny So, Arlene Hung Cai, Helios Hung, and Joyslyn Navarro Wong.
Other highly dutiable goods such as truck and auto parts, fertilizers and chemicals used for agricultural crops were also found in the two separate warehouses. The goods are placed under customs custody pending submission of proof of payment of duties and taxes.
No arrest was made because the owners of the 5 warehouses were not in the premises during the raid.
The concerned party is given 15 days to prove or show the source of the goods and the payment of duties and taxes.
Importation of fake goods is a violation of Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and the pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Photos from the Bureau of Customs
