BOC FOILS PASAY WAREHOUSE THEFT, 77 SUSPECTS ARRESTED

OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Customs foiled an attempted theft of Customs-seized goods in a warehouse in Pasay City on Thursday, October 26.

Seventy-seven suspects composed of 67 Filipinos and 10 Chinese nationals were arrested.

According to BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso, raided was the warehouse located at 112 M. Acosta St., Bgy. 77, Pasay City.

The warehouse was previously padlocked during a BOC operation against intellectual property rights infringing goods, specifically clothing apparel, footwear and bags.

“We received information from a well-placed asset that there was an ongoing theft in a Pasay warehouse we have previously sealed and padlocked. This warehouse had been subjected previously to a Letter of Authority,” Enciso said.

Members of the CIIS of the Manila International Container Port and the BOC’s Intellectual Property Rights Division, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and village officials, launched the operation.

The suspects were caught breaking the BOC seal at the warehouse and were seen carrying the forfeited illicit goods from the upper floors down to the ground floor.

An L300 van with plate number TNP 882 was also spotted being loaded with the forfeited goods.

The arrested suspects were temporarily detained inside the warehouse for documentation pending investigation.