​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 12) conducted an operation across the territory to combat the sale of counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicines and seized 12 boxes of suspected counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicines with an estimated market value of about $1,200. Four persons were arrested.
Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicines at a retail shop. After an in-depth investigation, and with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided 14 retail shops in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long, as well as a storage centre in Fanling. The batch of suspected counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicines was seized.
During the operation, three men and a woman, comprising two merchandising managers, a shop proprietor and a salesperson, aged between 41 and 56, were arrested. They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. Samples of the suspected counterfeit goods involved in the case will be sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.
Customs will continue to step up inspection 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 the sale of 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 counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Thursday, July 13, 2023
