Hong Kong Customs who raided a mobile hawker selling counterfeit goods in Stanley on Friday was surprised by the scale of the operation behind it.
Some 6900 items of suspected counterfeit goods were seized, including clothing, caps, and shoes, with an estimated market value of $420,000.
But what made this raid stand out was that it was the first-ever case detected of a single mobile hawker selling counterfeit items using multiple mobile-storage facilities.
After raiding the single stall they discovered 13 storage facilities in nearby alleys linked to the stall.
A 44-year-old female stall owner was arrested.
The enforcement activity followed a tipoff alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit items at Stanley. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, the raid was carried out.
A Customs spokesperson said inspection and enforcement activity to combat the sale of counterfeit goods will be stepped up during the summer holiday.
“Customs reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions. Customs also reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorized agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.”
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells, or possesses for sale, any goods with a forged trademark commits an offense. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a $500,000 fine and five years imprisonment.