Police crackdown yields ₱6.1-M fake slimming coffee in Bulacan

Authorities seized an estimated ₱6.1 million worth of allegedly counterfeit slimming coffee and arrested eight workers during a raid on a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan last week.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said its operatives served a search warrant at a facility in Barangay Parulan over alleged violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Confiscated items included finished slimming coffee products suspected of infringing registered trademarks, raw materials, packaging supplies, and equipment used in production and manufacturing.

The eight arrested suspects consisted of one Chinese national, five Filipino men and two Filipino women, all reportedly employed at the facility.

Police alleged that the suspects possessed and controlled the trademark-infringing products and manufactured the coffee without authorization from the trademark owner.

CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the operation was part of the agency’s campaign against intellectual property violations and other commercial crimes.

The agency also warned consumers that counterfeit slimming products could contain prohibited or toxic substances because they may bypass required regulatory evaluations, potentially endangering public health.

The CIDG said it would continue operations against counterfeiting and trademark infringement nationwide and urged the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities.