Hong Kong Customs today (August 3) mounted a special operation in various districts across the territory to combat the sale of counterfeit mosquito repellent products and seized about 600 items of related products with an estimated market value of about $25,000.
Customs earlier received information from the trademark owner alleging that there were pharmacies being suspected of selling counterfeit mosquito repellent products. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided five pharmacies in Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan as well as an industrial unit in Kowloon Bay and a company in Wan Chai, both suspected to be connected with the case. A batch of suspected counterfeit mosquito repellent products, including mosquito repellents and mosquito repellent patches, was seized.
During the operation, six men and one woman, aged between 30 and 53, were arrested. They comprise four persons-in-charge of the dispensaries, two staff members of the dispensaries and a person-in-charge of the supplier.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, August 3, 2022
