Hong Kong Customs Seizes $72 Million in Counterfeit Goods During Ocean Shield Operation

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation

Hong Kong Customs conducted a four-week enforcement operation codenamed "Ocean Shield" from May 28 to June 27 to combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments by sea cargo and local deliveries. During the operation, Customs detected 36 related cases and seized about 157 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of over $72 million.

Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Customs detected a number of related cases at various local logistics companies. Customs officers identified and carried out strike-and-search operations at about 30 logistics companies in Kwai Chung, Tin Shui Wai, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi and Yuen Long. About 154 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phone accessories, glasses, clothes and footwear, with a total estimated market value of about $70 million, were seized.

After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that some of the seized suspected counterfeit goods would have been sold locally while the rest would have been re-exported to overseas destinations. Customs officers therefore organised controlled delivery operations in respect of two batches of seized items. On June 6, a 45-year-old male consignee was arrested at a retail shop in Mong Kok, and about 20 suspected counterfeit wireless headphones and speakers with an estimated value of about $32,000 were discovered inside the shop.

Later, on June 18, Customs officers seized about 300 suspected counterfeit wireless headphones and speakers, with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million, in an industrial building unit in Kwai Chung. A 53-year-old female staff member, a 42-year-old male director and a 43-year-old female director were arrested.

Investigations of the above-mentioned cases are ongoing. All arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit or infringing goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime, and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement actions to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities.

Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports, or sells or possesses for sale any goods to which a forged trademark is applied 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth over $72 million in "Ocean Shield" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds hikers to pay attention to hiking safety during holidays

In light of the expected increase in hikers to country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 31) urges hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the AFCD.

The AFCD has placed information boards and directory signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have also been installed near dangerous areas in the country parks, reminding hikers not to enter those areas to avoid accidents.

The AFCD reminds the public that the cliffs near the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung have been weathered and eroded over the years. Hikers must follow the waymarks, stay on the designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings. The AFCD has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform and surrounding areas to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas, hence avoiding accidents. During the New Year holidays, the AFCD will deploy additional staff to disseminate messages about hiking safety at the viewing platform and surrounding areas, to ensure the safety of hikers.

The AFCD promotes comprehensive information about trails through the "Enjoy Hiking" website (www.hiking.gov.hk) to help hikers select suitable routes. The website also provides comprehensive database on various hiking trails, including trail length, difficulty and nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas.

For information on hiking safety, please visit the AFCD page (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_gac/cou_wha_whe_sat.html).

Source: AI-found images