Hong Kong Customs launched an enforcement operation code-named "Operation Tracker IV" for two consecutive weeks from January 3 to 16 to crack down on the supply of counterfeit goods locally and across borders.
During the operation, the Customs detected a total of 18 cases and seized more than 90,000 counterfeit items, including counterfeit sports shoes, clothes, watches, accessories, cosmetics and electronic products, etc., with a market value of about 40.77 million yuan. One man and three women were arrested.
As seen at the scene, counterfeit goods included Rolex, LV handbags, Gucci sneakers and cosmetics, iPhones, etc.
Liao Weijie, Senior Inspector of the Customs Copyright and Trademark Cross-border Investigation Team The Customs has cracked a total of 18 cases, seized more than 90,000 counterfeit items with a market value of about 40.77 million yuan, and arrested 1 man and 3 women.
(Photo by Yang Jialang)
Liao Weijie, Senior Inspector of the Customs Copyright and Trademark Cross-border Investigation Team, pointed out that during the two-week operation, Customs officers raided several dismantling yards and seized a total of more than 90,000 counterfeit items. Including watches, accessories, shoes, cosmetics and electronic products.
Compared with the "Tracker Operation" conducted by the Customs three times last year, which also targeted counterfeit goods at the demolition yard, Liao Weijie said that the number and market value of the counterfeit goods seized in this operation broke the record of the Customs in similar operations.
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Among the 18 cases, the goods in 16 cases will be shipped to other places, and the destinations include Europe, America, the Middle East, South Asia, and New Asia; the remaining two cases involve local delivery, and customs officers took action on January 10. action.
Customs officers found about 300 pieces of counterfeit goods in a logistics company in Kwai Chung, including handbags and sneakers, and then carried out monitoring and delivery operations. Finally, a warehouse suspected of storing counterfeit sneakers and clothes was busted in an industrial building in Kwun Tong. About 400 counterfeit items were seized.
Customs officers arrested a 29-year-old woman receiving the goods and a 48-year-old woman at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the two arrested women set up special pages on online social platforms to sell the counterfeit goods.
When they receive the purchase order, they purchase counterfeit items and send them to a local logistics company, where they are delivered by courier to the industrial unit they rent for storage and packaging.
Finally, they will deliver the counterfeit items to customers through courier.
In addition, customs officers seized 66 pieces of suspected counterfeit goods at a logistics company in Yuen Long. Customs officers then went to Tin Shui Wai to monitor the delivery and arrested a 25-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman on the spot. She suspected of importing and selling The batch of counterfeit goods.
Customs officers then raided the mini-storage rented by the woman in an industrial building in Tuen Mun.
The arrested woman also set up a special page on social platforms to sell the counterfeit goods.
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During the operation, Customs arrested 1 man and 3 women, aged between 25 and 48, on suspicion of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. They are currently released on bail pending further investigation.
The case is still under investigation.
In addition, Liao Weijie mentioned that there are differences in the type and quality of counterfeit goods transshipped to different overseas regions: for example, the goods transshipped to Europe, America and the Middle East are all high-value items, such as watches, bracelets and accessories Etc. The materials of this batch of goods are better, the workmanship is more delicate, and some of them have packaging boxes and manuals, which are high imitation counterfeit items.
On the contrary, most of the goods transshipped to South Asia are mainly clothes and sneakers. The quality is not good, and the materials and imitation are only average.
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Customs appeals to consumers to patronize reputable shops and inquire with their trademark holders and agents if in doubt, so as not to buy counterfeit goods.
Customs also reminds those who sell goods in shops and online not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious when purchasing, because selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and requires criminal liability.
The logistics industry should also abide by the relevant regulations. When handling goods, if in doubt, they should first inquire with the relevant trademark holders and agents.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, Customs will step up inspections to crack down on counterfeit goods at different levels.
According to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for the purpose of selling counterfeit goods commits an offense and is liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 5 years upon conviction.
Members of the public can report suspected counterfeiting activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or through the dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
