OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested four Chinese for violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines during raids in Meycauayan City, Bulacan last week.
The operations resulted in the seizure of P75.39 million worth of counterfeit Crocs footwear, the CIDG said in a statement on Sunday night.
The suspects were identified only as Weibin, Zhenpan, Youding and Wang, all from the Elie Globus Prime Holdings Corporation.
The CIDG said armed with search warrants, it simultaneously raided the three warehouses of the corporation in Meycauayan City last Wednesday.
The CIDG said Crocs footwear worth P29.6 million was seized at one of the warehouses. Confiscated from the two other warehouses were P27.7 million and P18 million worth of similar footwear.
Also seized during the operations were business receipts, computer sets, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) digital video recorder, and a web mill printer.
The CIDG said charges have been filed against the suspects before the National Procurement Service for violation of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) “for the unauthorized use of a registered trademark or a confusingly similar mark in commerce, which may cause deception or confusion among consumers.”
“Rest assured that your CIDG is steadfast in implementing all laws and relentless in catching all violators and criminals, local or foreign nationals,” said CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
“We encourage the public to report any violations, illegal activities, or trade malpractices involving infringed and counterfeit products, and your CIDG will do the rest,” added Torre.
