BOC seizes P31.5 million fake health products

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in coordination with other government agencies, recently confiscated fake and unregistered health products from China worth P31.5 million during separate operations in Manila.

The BOC said personnel of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intellectual Property Rights Division raided two warehouses along Ongpin and Fernandez streets, both in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The BOC said the raids were carried out to stop the proliferation of dangerous medicines during the pandemic.

The raids were conducted by the BOC together with the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

An inventory showed that the medical products mostly came from China and were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Seized during the operations were medical and cosmetic products bearing the brands Lianhua Lung Cleansing Tea, Healthy Brain Pills, Gluta Lipo, Lidan tablets, Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa and Vita herbs.

The representatives of the warehouses were ordered to present importation documents and other pertinent permits of the confiscated items.

Authorities padlocked the warehouses.

Owners of the warehouses will face criminal charges for storing smuggled goods, the BOC said.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said a probe is underway for possible violations of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and the FDA Law.

Guerrero said the agency would sustain its enforcement efforts on border security to make sure that Filipino consumers buy goods that comply with the country’s health registration laws.