Fake sneakers seized

Police seized P800 million worth of fake Adidas and Nike rubber shoes in a series of operations the other day in Pasay and Parañaque City.

Chief Superintendent Eduardo Matillano, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operations involving 211 policemen were simultaneously carried out based on complaints lodged by the manufacturers and retailers of Adidas and Nike shoes in the country.

Raided on Friday afternoon while selling fake Adidas and Nike shoes were the Galeria building along Taft Avenue; Baclaran Terminal Mall; Merwin’s Mart along F.B. Harrison.

Local manufacturers Adidas and Nike Philippines lodged complaints with the CIDG on the proliferation of counterfeit products believed to have been smuggled from China and now flooding the country.

Armed with a search warrant and accompanied by a battery of lawyers from the two firms, the CIDG wasted no time in launching an operation in Baclaran and Pasay.

Matillano said the seized rubber shoes were taken to the warehouses of Nike and Adidas Philippines for inventory and safekeeping while appropriate charges are being prepared against stalls and warehouse owners selling the said counterfeit products. - Jaime Laude