Name the brand, and counterfeiters may have copied it: Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, Crocs, Puma, Converse, and Skechers were among the labels found on ₱700 million worth of fake footwear uncovered in a Cavite warehouse.
Pairs carrying the names of On Cloud, Jordan and luxury brand Louis Vuitton were also found during the inspection in Barangay Alapan II-A, Imus City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Wednesday.
The estimated value of footwear recovered from the single warehouse was higher than the ₱628 million worth of smuggled and counterfeit goods seized across the country throughout July.
Investigators said the facility was allegedly being used to package, store and sell counterfeit and substandard footwear. The valuation remains preliminary and is based on the initial inventory.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) inspected the warehouse after receiving and validating intelligence about its operations. Its personnel carried out the inspection as deputies of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), armed with a mission order and a letter of authority.
The warehouse’s Chinese owner has not been arrested. According to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the owner faces an estafa complaint linked to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Counterfeit goods do not only violate intellectual property rights — they also undermine legitimate businesses, deceive consumers, and fuel unlawful enterprises. The PNP will relentlessly pursue those who profit from these illegal activities and ensure they are held accountable under the law,” Nartatez said.
The recovered footwear is now under BOC custody for inventory, documentation and disposition.
Authorities did not disclose how long the warehouse had operated, where the products came from or whether they had already reached stores or online buyers.
The discovery came as police widened their watch over suspected smuggling routes, warehouses, distribution centers, ports and transport terminals.
PNP records showed that 2,927 operations against smuggling and illicit trade were conducted nationwide from July 1 to 31. These led to the arrest of 656 suspects.
“We will sustain intelligence-driven operations and strengthen coordination among our regional and local police units so that criminal groups cannot simply transfer their activities to other areas,” Nartatez said.
He asked consumers and businesses to report warehouses, sellers and other operations suspected of dealing in smuggled or counterfeit products.
