P1-B fake bags seized in Binondo

MANILA, Philippines - Government agents seized some P1 billion worth of fake branded bags in a raid on eight warehouses in Binondo, Manila yesterday.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the fake items were supposed to be distributed in malls like the 168 Mall and in stores in Divisoria and Baclaran, where counterfeit products are usually sold dirt-cheap.

Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante, CIDG-Anti Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit chief, staged the raid following complaints from manufacturers of the brands Hermes, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Michael Kors.

Bustamante said most of the seized items were luxury bags, wallets, backpacks and computer bags. Some bore high-end brand names while others were knock-offs of Samsonite, Adidas and Nike products.

He said the CIDG has yet to find the names of the fake products’ owners.