Hong Kong Customs Seizes $2.9 Million in Counterfeit Goods and Illicit Cigarettes on Chung Ying Street

Hong Kong Customs special operation on Chung Ying Street combats sale of suspected counterfeit goods

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, yesterday (March 11) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 1 700 items of suspected counterfeit goods and about 450 000 suspected illicit cigarettes. The total estimated market value was about $2.9 million, and the duty potential of the suspected illicit cigarettes was about $1.5 million. One person involved in the case was arrested.

Customs earlier conducted anti-counterfeiting activities on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, and discovered a retail shop selling suspected counterfeit goods. After investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided the shop together with its hidden storage facility inside the premises and seized the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including perfumes, cosmetic products, handbags, and the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes.

During the operation, a 46-year-old female salesperson was arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up patrols and enforcement actions on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, to vigorously combat counterfeit and illicit cigarette activities.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeit or illicit cigarette 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 mounted a special enforcement operation on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, yesterday (March 11) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods. Photo shows some of the suspected counterfeit goods and suspected illicit cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation on Chung Ying Street, Sha Tau Kok, yesterday (March 11) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods. Photo shows the retail shop concerned. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Housing expresses condolences over passing of Dr Donald Liao

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (March 13) expressed sorrow over the passing of the former Secretary for Housing, the first Director of Housing, and the former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, and extends her deepest condolences to his family.

Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980 and the Secretary for Housing from 1980 to 1985.

Ms Ho said, "I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA. My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.

"As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families. At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs. Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department."

Source: AI-found images