CIDG CONFISCATES OVER P216M WORTH OF FAKE ‘CROCS’ IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than P216 million worth of alleged counterfeit footwear and manufacturing equipment on Thursday were confiscated by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during the implementation of a search warrant in Apalit, Pampanga.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said the operation was conducted under “Oplan Megashopper” at a production warehouse located at Golden Haojia Industrial Compound in Bgy. Balucuc in Apalit town.

CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit conducted the search operation with the help of the Apalit police.

Authorities implemented a search warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 for alleged violation of Section 155 in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines which penalizes trademark infringement.

Gollod said the primary suspect identified as Geraldine Martinez, the general manager of the warehouse, remains at large as of this writing.

Seized during the raid were 64 boxes containing 36 pairs each of suspected counterfeit Crocs footwear with an estimated value of P10.53 million, and 117 boxes containing 36 pairs each of another footwear model valued at P5.76 million. 

Also confiscated were 30 sacks of rubber resin raw materials, four sets of heavy machinery allegedly used in footwear production valued at P200 million, and assorted business transaction documents.

The total estimated market value of the seized items reached P216,305,000,  the CIDG said.

Police said warehouse representatives failed to present documents proving the legality of their operations.

Investigators also noted the absence of required business permits displayed inside the facility.

According to Gollod, the operation stemmed from information provided by a confidential informant, which was later validated by CIDG investigators.

The probe allegedly established that the warehouse had been manufacturing and distributing counterfeit Crocs footwear since March 2025, selling the products at lower prices in Pampanga and nearby provinces.

The official said the illegal activity caused financial losses and trademark dilution to the registered brand owner and posed risks to consumers due to the unregulated nature of the products.

The operation was conducted peacefully and documented using police-issued body-worn cameras and an alternative recording device in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.

All seized items were properly inventoried and turned over to representatives of the complainant for safekeeping at a waste management facility in Bgy. Maliwalu, Bacolor, Pampanga.

Charges for trademark infringement under the Intellectual Property Code are being prepared for filing in court against the suspect,