Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $3.9 million in "Swift Net" operation
Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Swift Net" from August 17 to September 2 to combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments and local deliveries via express parcels. During the operation, Customs detected 32 related cases and seized about 14 600 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $3.9 million. One person was arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Customs officers carried out strike-and-search operations at express courier companies and logistics companies across various districts and seized the suspected counterfeit goods, which included watches, mobile phone accessories, bags, clothing, cosmetics and footwear.
After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that some of the suspected counterfeit goods would have been sold locally while the rest would have been re-exported to overseas destinations. Customs officers also organised a controlled delivery operation in respect of a batch of seized items. On August 21, Customs officers arrested a 36-year-old male consignee at a suspected counterfeit warehouse in Hung Hom. Upon investigation, about 1 240 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including bags, belts, cosmetics and footwear, with an estimated value of about $446,000 were seized inside the warehouse.
Investigations of the above-mentioned case are ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and check with 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 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 about $3.9 million in "Swift Net" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
One person arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient
The Department of Health (DH)'s earlier investigation revealed the suspected illegal sale of a product containing undeclared controlled medicine and carried out an enforcement operation with the Police today (September 10).During the operation, a 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poison and an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
Following up on a report received earlier, the DH purchased a product named "Natural Herbs Coffee Kopi Panggung AL-Ambiak" from a premises in Sham Shui Po. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained sildenafil, which is a Part 1 poison regulated under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is also suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and should only be used under a doctor's professional advice and supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause blood pressure to decrease to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose such serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. In addition, pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons can only be sold at the registered premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (commonly known as a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. If any contravention of the law is suspected, the DH will take resolute enforcement action and initiate prosecutions after seeking advice from the Department of Justice. The illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. The DH reminded the public that illegal sale of controlled medicines under the Ordinance regardless of the sales channel (including instant messaging applications and social media platforms) carries criminal liability, and urged the public not to break the law.
The DH will continue to investigate the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.
The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the product concerned to stop consuming it immediately. They are also reminded not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. They should consult healthcare professionals if they feel unwell after consumption. They may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 4105, 41/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.
The DH reminded members of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
The public may visit the DH's Drug Office webpage forhealth message on sexual dysfunction and virility productsandvirility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.
One person arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
