Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) mounted a special enforcement operation in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Shui to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, and seized about 950 items of suspected counterfeit goods and about 39 000 tablets of suspected controlled medicines with a total estimated market value of about $1.1 million. Five persons were arrested in the operation.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit medicines and proprietary Chinese medicine were on sale in shops. After a comprehensive investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided four retail shops in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Shui. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines, perfumes, cosmetics and skincare products was seized. With the assistance of officers from the Department of Health, Customs also seized the batch of suspected controlled medicines at the four above-mentioned shops which do not have drug dealer licences.

     During the operation, four men and one woman, aged between 29 and 48, were arrested. They comprised one company director and four salespersons.

     An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement, and stringently combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.

     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. Traders should also be 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.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two 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/).

Ends/Thursday, July 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:55

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