P5.26M fake Crocs seized in Pampanga

A large-scale counterfeit footwear operation valued at more than P5.26 million was dismantled after the Philippine National Police raided an industrial facility in San Simon, Pampanga, authorities reported Saturday.

The operation, dubbed Oplan Megashopper, was conducted on 16 January after police served a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court in Macabebe, Pampanga, for alleged violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act 8293).

Joint operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3, the Pampanga Provincial Field Unit, and the San Simon Municipal Police Station implemented the warrant at a warehouse inside an industrial park in Barangay San Pablo Libutad.

Authorities seized hundreds of pairs of counterfeit Crocs slippers in various colors, assorted business documents, and a molding machine allegedly used to produce fake footwear.

Police valued the confiscated slippers at P513,206, while the molding machine was estimated at P4.75 million, bringing total seized evidence to P5,263,206.

Police said the operation stemmed from information provided by a civilian informant, later validated through surveillance and case build-up.

Complaints from online consumers about defective products and inconsistencies with genuine footwear also supported the enforcement action.

Body-worn cameras were used during the operation for documentation and transparency, the PNP said.

The seized items were inventoried and turned over to a designated storage facility as case records were finalized for prosecution.