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SIMULTANEOUS raids in seven cell phone shops and a warehouse in downtown Cebu City yesterday yielded more than 200 counterfeit cell phones and accessories worth at least P30 million.
Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7) were armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon Daomilas of Branch 11.
The NBI raided Cell Surge Shop, Cebu Neophontek Enterprises, Cebu Neophontek Enterprises Storage, Cellsurge Shop branch 2, MMHK Enterprises, Cebu 777 Cellshop, Yousie Marketing, and Cebu Space Enterprises.
They confiscated cell phones and accessories such as batteries, headsets, chargers, Nokia casings, and silicon protectors.
Charges of unfair competition and trademark infringement would be filed against the owners of the cell shops and warehouse, said NBI 7 executive officer Ernesto Macabare.
Nokia, through a representative for intellectual property rights, earlier sought the help of the NBI.
The representative, who was present during the raids, estimated the confiscated items to be worth P30 million to P40 million.
The cell phones were found to be counterfeit after the serial numbers at the back of the cell phones did not match that of Nokia's original phones.
The NBI started surveillance on the stores starting last month and warned of more raids against shops selling counterfeit cell phones.
The seized items will be brought to the Nokia warehouse for temporary storage.
Early this month, Cebu City police raided three cell phone shops near the mall at the North Reclamation Area.
They confiscated 241 cell phones believed to be smuggled units. /Correspondent Ador V. Mayol
