P8 million worth of instant chocolate drink seized

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized P8 million worth of Chocquik instant drink from a warehouse in Navotas for allegedly imitating the packaging of Nestle Philippines’ chocolate drink Milo.

The NBI said they confiscated 879 boxes of Chocquik instant malt drink on Thursday from a warehouse in Navotas.

Special Investigator Glenn Lacaran, NBI-National Capital Region (NCR), said their raid at the warehouse owned by Columbia International Food Products Inc., with offices along Escoda Street, San Rafael Village, Navotas, lasted for 21 hours.

They raided the warehouse on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Alberto Lerma, of Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.

The search warrant was served at 10 a.m. on Thursday and the inventory of the items lasted until 7 a.m. yesterday. No arrest was made.

Charges of unfair competition and trademark infringement under Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, would be lodged against the owners for allegedly "copying the general appearance of Nestle choco drink Milo."

Lacaran said they took a total of 188 boxes filled with 200 grams of Chocquik instant choco malt drink "that bore Nestle’s registered trademark or devices printed thereon." Milo’s dominant colors of green, brown, yellow, and gold-tone were allegedly copied by the respondent.

They also seized 51 boxes of Chocquick 300 grams pack, 279 boxes of 150 grams, and 361 boxes of 80 grams of the product.

They also recovered 2,000 boxes of Chocquik wrappers and empty cartons and packaging machines and mixer machines. — Evelyn Macairan