Counterfeit goods seized in raid
Customs officers seized $1.5 million in counterfeit Disney and Japanese cartoon products during a raid in Shamshuipo yesterday - just 10 days ahead of the theme park's opening.
Officers raided 16 wholesalers and retailers on Fuk Wing Street, seizing 32,000 counterfeit goods and arrested nine men and 12 women, aged between 22 and 52, who were shop owners and sales staff. They were released on bail and no charges have been laid.
They found the sellers had mixed the genuine goods with the fakes in an attempt to fool customs.
Five to 10 per cent of the seized goods, including toys, stationery, handbags and home appliances, were fake Disneyland products, while the rest were counterfeit Japanese cartoon goods, such as Hello Kitty items. Yesterday's raid comes in the countdown to the September 12 opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.
Customs warned that it would step up protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights as it continues to work with trademark owners. Customs officers are investigating the source of the counterfeit products.
