Customs officers smashed two up-stair showrooms in Tsim Sha Tsui suspected of selling counterfeit handbags and watches to Japanese tourists on October 10 and 11.
In an operation code-named "Skyhawk", the officers raided two up-stair showrooms and a trading firm in Tsim Sha Tsui. The showrooms targeted at tour groups from Japan.
Customs officers seized 2,300 pieces of counterfeits, including leather goods and watches, worth $1.2 million.
Six men and one woman, aged between 34 and 50, were arrested. Among them were two local licensed tourist guides, a 44-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, and a 43-year-old male shop owner.
Customs officers yesterday (October 10) seized from an up-stair showroom in a shopping mall office building 1,400 counterfeit handbags and 200 watches, worth $1 million.
In a subsequent raid against a trading firm, the officers seized a batch of documents and computers for forensic examination.
This morning, Customs officers seized from a showroom in the same commercial building 600 counterfeit leather goods and 100 watches, valued at $200,000.
Noting that there were tourist guides involved in counterfeiting activities, the Divisional Commander (Trade Descriptions Investigation), Mr Chiu Yuk-hung, said that it was believed to be an isolated case.
"Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), bringing the unscrupulous in the trade to justice," he said.
To enhance understanding of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance in the tourism industry, Hong Kong Customs and TIC held seminars for industry players, reminding them not to engage in counterfeiting activities.
During travel peak season, Hong Kong Customs will step up spot checks to guard against counterfeiting activities. Undercover operation will be mounted when necessary.
Mr Chiu appealed to tourists not to buy counterfeit goods. Hong Kong Customs has included in tourist pamphlets distributed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board smart tips for tourists to watch out for street touting of counterfeit goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and an imprisonment for five years.
Report of suspected counterfeiting activities can be made to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, October 11, 2007