P65-M smuggled medical goods seized in Manila warehouse

MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday reported the seizure of around PHP65 million worth of smuggled medical supplies and other items in a raid at a storage facility in Binondo, Manila.

Alvin Enciso, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), said the operation conducted on Wednesday yielded fake face masks, respirators, counterfeit luxury items, lotions, creams, cosmetics, and electronic items.

He added that the seized medical supplies and cosmetic products have not been approved for distribution in the country by the Food and Drug Administration.

An inventory of the seized items is ongoing.

Enciso said the importer will face a possible violation of Section 1400 of Republic Act 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

“The public might fall victims to these smuggled goods. They might think they are protected by their face masks considering the brand of the fake ones are the same face masks that our health workers are using,” he said in a statement.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after receiving the letter of authority and mission order signed by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Coordination with local officials and the police was also made before the operatives proceeded to the storage facility, where they served the LOA to the representative of the warehouse.

“Bringing fake medical supplies into the country is particularly worrying. Using these items, which have not received FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval, will put lives in peril. The bureau is responsible for stopping these activities, especially at a time like this,” Enciso said.