​Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 49 500 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $8.4 million in total at Man Kam To Control Point, Kwun Tong and Fanling on April 9 and yesterday (April 14).
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck at Man Kam To Control Point on April 9. A batch of about 3 500 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including mobile phones and accessories, watches and clothing, were found inside the container. The 63-year-old male driver was then arrested.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested six persons suspected to be in connection with the case, including five men and one woman aged between 25 and 50, in Kwun Tong, Kwai Chung and Fanling. Two counterfeit goods storehouses situated inside two trading companies in Kwun Tong and Fanling were also smashed. A further seizure of about 46 000 items of suspected counterfeit mobile phones and accessories was made for further investigation.
Customs believes that the companies involved were targeting overseas customers to provide them with mobile phone repair services using counterfeit parts and to sell them counterfeit mobile phone parts.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and take stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied or 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).
Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2020
