The Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the Philippines, through the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), conducted a targeted inspection of a warehouse in Malabon on March 11, 2025. The operation seized a variety of illegal goods, with an estimated market value of 1.2 billion pesos.

During the inspection, a joint law enforcement team, consisting of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Quarantine (CIIS-MICP), the Enforcement and Security Service-MICP of the Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Coast Guard-Task Force Aduana, discovered a large quantity of counterfeit products, disposable e-cigarettes lacking Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax numbers, and other unregulated imported products such as electronics, clothing, cosmetics, and household goods.

The authorities have sealed and locked the warehouse to ensure that the confiscated goods remain secure before being officially inventoried. Additionally, seizure and detention orders (WSD) will be issued for the confiscated goods under violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 8293 (also known as the Philippine Intellectual Property Code).

From the issuance of the authorization, the warehouse owner and operator will have 15 days to provide documentation proving the legal acquisition of the imported goods and the payment of necessary taxes.

This operation highlights the importance of intercepting illegal goods before they penetrate the local market and impact legitimate businesses.