MANILA—The Bureau of Customs (BOC) successfully intercepted smuggled vapes and counterfeit goods valued at approximately PHP 4.8 billion in a major raid in Manila's Binondo district, marking one of the agency's largest operations this year.

According to the Philippines News Agency, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio detailed that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) spearheaded the raid on September 6, uncovering a vast array of illegal items including counterfeit branded merchandise from high-profile labels such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, as well as popular athletic brands Adidas and Nike. The operation also revealed fake NBA merchandise, cosmetics, school supplies featuring characters like Hello Kitty and Spiderman, and various other general goods.

Rubio emphasized the growing boldness of smuggling operations and the BOC's intensified efforts to counteract these illegal activities, stating, "As these groups and individuals become more brazen in their attempts to circumvent our laws, the more that our BOC personnel—from top to bottom—will find and prosecute them."

The operation not only resulted in the seizure of these items but also led to the temporary closure of the involved storage facilities. The warehouse owners and operators have been given a 15-day period to produce documents proving the legality of the imported goods and compliance with duties and taxes under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Failure to comply with these directives could lead to charges under multiple sections of the CMTA, as well as potential violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. The Enforcement and Security Service-MICP and the Philippine Coast Guard also participated in the operation, highlighting the coordinated approach to tackling smuggling and counterfeit activities in the region.