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Acting on information from public, Hong Kong Customs conducted a series of special operations last week and successfully smashed a syndicate which was actively involved in the sale of suspected counterfeit sporting apparel in the New Territories.
In the operations, Customs successfully intercepted an inbound consignment of suspected counterfeit sporting apparel being smuggled into Hong Kong from neighbouring areas. Customs also cracked down on two storehouses keeping suspected counterfeit sporting apparel and raided a total of three mobile hawker stalls operated by the syndicate in New Territories. A total of 6 400 suspected counterfeit sporting apparel including T-shirts, jackets and pants valued at about $420,000 were seized. Five men and one woman, including the mastermind and skeleton members, aged ranging from 23 to 52, were arrested. They are released on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale goods bearing a forged trademark, commits an offence. Once convicted, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 5 years and a fine of $500,000.
Suspected counterfeiting activities can be reported via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat counterfeit activities.
Ends/Sunday, May 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:00
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