The operation was made by virtue of multiple Search Warrants issued by Branch 24 of the Regional Trial Court of Manila City against sellers of counterfeit Black Rhino wheels located in Makati, Manila, Parañaque, and Quezon City. The Search Warrants were granted when TSW Alloy Wheels, USA (TSW), the owner of the Black Rhino brand, filed complaints against the said sellers in violation of Intellectual Property laws in the Philippines.

The simultaneous raids covered 9 stores and 3 warehouses identified by NBI’s Special Action Unit during months-long surveillance operations. The surveillance operations and the application for Search Warrants were made in view of several reports of accidents attributed to the use of counterfeit Black Rhino Wheels.

Multiple criminal and civil charges are now being prepared against the sellers of the counterfeit Black Rhino Wheels.

TSW would like to caution the public on the extreme dangers of counterfeit Black Rhino wheels which were seized, and those which are currently prevailing on the market. Counterfeit wheels are of a deeply inferior quality and are incapable of carrying the loads for which they are supposedly rated for. This completely renders them particularly dangerous for use on the vehicles they are likely to be installed on.

Terence Scheckter, President of TSW, commented, “TSW values the safety of its customers through rigorous engineering and testing methods to ensure proper wheel load ratings. As such, the prevalence of counterfeit wheels carrying the Black Rhino brand will not be tolerated and violators will be sought after and prosecuted at the fullest extent of the law.”