APALIT, Pampanga — The Central Luzon police and members of the Bureau of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Enforcement and Security Service raided Wednesday (March 4) a warehouse in Barangay Calantipe in this town and seized some P25 million worth of smuggled “Crocs” footwear.
The raiding team armed with a “Letter of Authority” issued by the Bureau of Customs confiscated the contraband after the owner of the warehouse failed to present to the authorities legal documents of the goods.
The operation, which concluded at about 4:00 p.m. was conducted by joint elements of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Enforcement and Security Service (CIIS-ESS) base in Limay, Bataan, in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Pampanga Police Provincial Office, Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office 3, and the Apalit Municipal Police Station.
Acting on the Letter of Authority, the operating teams coordinated with barangay officials before implementing the inspection. After repeated call-outs and knocks yielded no response, the team, in the presence of barangay officials, forcibly opened the warehouse to implement the authority.
Inside the facility, authorities discovered assorted footwear bearing patents and markings of the “CROCS” brand with an estimated aggregate value of ₱25,000,000.00. Inspection and verification were conducted in accordance with existing customs laws and regulations to determine possible violations.
The operation was carried out in an orderly and peaceful manner with no untoward incident reported. Inventory, documentation, and further procedural requirements were undertaken by the Bureau of Customs, with additional findings and legal actions to be included in a follow-up report.
PRO3 Regional Director Brigadier General Jess B. Mendez said the accomplishment highlights the importance of a whole-of-government approach in addressing smuggling and other economic crimes.
“Through strong coordination among national agencies, local authorities, and law enforcement units, we are able to protect legitimate businesses, safeguard government revenues, and uphold the rule of law,” Mendez said.
He added that the operation supports the directive of SILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. to intensify the campaign against smuggling in lined with the PNP Focused Agenda of Chief PNP General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., which emphasizes strengthened law enforcement operations and enhanced inter-agency collaboration to protect the nation’s economic security. (UnliNews Online)
