Hong Kong Customs special operation combats sale of counterfeit goods (with photo)
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   Hong Kong Customs today (December 7) conducted a special operation in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 2 300 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $300,000.
   Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided a number of fixed-pitch and mobile hawker stalls, and one counterfeit goods storage centre on Tung Choi Street. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather products and mobile phone accessories, was seized.
   During the operation, a 52-year-old woman was arrested.
     An investigation is ongoing.
   Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
   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. Also, traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling 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 infringing activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).