THE Bureau of Customs has seized P150 million worth of fake Covid-19 antigen test kits, LianHua Chinese medicines and counterfeit face masks in a Manila warehouse, it announced Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
In a statement, the bureau said the goods were seized at a warehouse on 555 Carlos Palanca, San Miguel, Manila City on Friday, Jan. 21, and its operation also led to to the arrest of the warehouse owner, a Chinese national.
The warehouse contained P150 million worth of Clungene Covid-19 antigen test kits, counterfeit LianHua Chinese herbal medicines, and fake 3M N95 face masks, the bureau said.
In addition, it stored intellectual property rights-infringed goods including clothes from brands like Nike, Fila, Converse, Adidas, as well as Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags, wallets and phone accessories.
The seizure comes as the Philippines faces a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic fueled by the Omicron variant of Sars-CoV-2.
Residents have been scrambling to secure antigen test kits and medicines for themselves as the Department of Health (DOH) reports record numbers of new cases daily this month and as the DOH allowed home isolation and treatment for mild cases to prevent the overwhelming of the country’s hospitals.
The warehouse owner will face cases for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act particularly Sec. 1401 (Unlawful Importation/Exportation) and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) in relation to Sec. 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation), and Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations.