Hong Kong Customs today (November 29) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling a proprietary medicine, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a medicine shop in Sham Shui Po was suspected to have applied a false trade description on a brand of medicine by claiming that it was a particular brand of medicine in the course of selling medicines.

     After investigation, Customs officers arrested a 57-year-old man this afternoon. 

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods 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 violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, November 29, 2018
Issued at HKT 20:41

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