Hong Kong Customs and the Police successfully cracked down on two clandestine retail storehouses keeping and selling suspected counterfeit goods in a joint operation conducted from September 15 to 18 in Mong Kok to combat counterfeit activities.
A total of 2 360 suspected counterfeit goods including leather goods, watches and pens valued at over $1 million were seized. Two men aged 33 and 39 were arrested and released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs officers believe that the illicit operators mainly offered the seized suspected counterfeit goods for sale to tourists. The two syndicates concerned were neutralised in the blitz operation.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale goods bearing a forged trademark, commits an offence. Once convicted, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 5 years and a fine of $500,000.
Suspected counterfeiting activities can be reported via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action along with the Police to combat counterfeit activities.
Ends/Friday, September 19, 2014
