May 17, 2012

        A huge quantity of counterfeit Louis Vuitton products estimated at P 79 million was confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives during a raid of stalls and warehouses in Binondo, Manila yesterday.

       In a report submitted to NBI Officer-in-Charge Atty. Nonnatus Caesar R. Rojas by Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) chief Head Agent Rommel Vallejo, the Bureau received request for investigative assistance from the representative of Louis Vuitton for Asia Pacific.

   Reliable information disclosed the proliferation of fake LV products being sold at stalls in Binondo, Manila.

     Acting on said complaint, the NBI IPRD conducted surveillance and test buys at the identified areas distributing fake LV products. Upon confirming the information, the NBI applied for search warrants issued by the Manila RTC Branch 24.

        Yesterday afternoon, by virtue of said search warrants, NBI operatives simultaneously swooped on several warehouses and stalls.

      Found and seized were Two Thousand Sixty-one (2,061) pieces of counterfeit LV products worth P 79,770,000.00.

   Charges for Violation of R.A. 8293 are being prepared against the proprietors and owners of the stalls and warehouses.