Customs officers yesterday (April 7) raided a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui and a storage centre in Kwun Tong suspected to be involved in the sale of counterfeit high-priced Italian fabric to tailors, resulting in the seizure of $15 million worth of fabric.
Five Pakistani men and three Indian men, aged between 22 and 54, are assisting Customs enquiries.
After extensive investigations based on a complaint from a trade mark owner, Customs officers conducted the operation yesterday.
Initial investigations showed that some low-priced fabric had been used to counterfeit Italian fabric for sale to tailors.
Any person who contravenes the Trade Descriptions Ordinance is liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Ends/Friday, April 8, 2005