Hong Kong Customs and the Police conducted a joint operation to crack down on sales of counterfeit products on July 28 and 29. In the operation, Customs and the Police successfully smashed a syndicate suspected of selling counterfeit goods by operating two upstairs showrooms and a storehouse in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsuen Wan.
The operation involved a record seizure in terms of quantity among similar cases in the past decade. More than 30 000 suspected counterfeit products valued at about $3 million, including leather goods, watches, apparel products, footwear, sunglasses and perfume, were seized. The syndicate was suspected of establishing a sales network with a membership scheme.
A man who was the suspected mastermind of the syndicate and two women, aged between 32 and 37, were arrested. They were released on bail pending further investigation.
The Divisional Commander (Intellectual Property Transnational Investigation) of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of Customs, Mr Cheuk Tak-wai, and the Police Assistant Divisional Commander (Operations) of Tsim Sha Tsui Division, Mr Ho Siu-tung, said at a press conference today (August 6) that Customs and the Police would continue to combat counterfeit activities with stringent joint enforcement actions. Customs also appealed to members of the public to shop at retail stores with a good reputation or at official brand stores.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with any forged trademark commits an offence. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment of five years.
Anyone with information relating to the sale of suspected counterfeit goods may call Customs via the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, August 6, 2015
