PNP seizes P34-M fake products

Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized some P34.7 million worth of fake products like Lacoste, Louis Vuitton and Adidas in a series of raids in Pasay City, Pasig City and San Juan as part of the intensified campaign against counterfeit products.

Three teams of the CIDG- Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division of the Philippine National Police, led by Senior Superintendent Noel delos Reyes, confiscated some P700,000 worth of Lacoste products, P10 million worth of Louis Vuitton bags and wallets; P19 million worth of Adidas products and P5 million worth of unlicensed Microsoft and Adobe software loaded in 41 computer units.

"This is a team effort among member-organizations of the NCIPR (National Committee for Intellectual Property Rights). The PNP has been closely coordinating with other government agencies in intensifying raids and spot inspections based on the recent directives of President Arroyo to sustain gains in protecting IPR," Delos Reyes said.

In a back-to-back operation dubbed ‘Operation Mega Shoppers,’ the PNP seized Adidas items being sold at 32 stalls at the Car Park Shopping Compound in Pasay City, and assorted unlicensed Microsoft and Adobe software loaded in 41 computer units of Drugcheck Philippines, Inc. in Pasig City.

Judge Felixberto Olalia Jr. of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila issued the search warrants for the Adidas raid while Executive Judge Reynaldo Ros of RTC Branch 33 issued the search warrants for the software raid. The search operations were conducted in the presence of the occupants, barangay officials and security officers of the establishments. – Cecille Suerte Felipe