Customs Launches Operation “Power House” in a Bid to Eradicate Counterfeit Mobile Phone Batteries in Sham Shui Po

Date: 04/07/2007

Further to the Customs crackdown on a distributor of counterfeit phone sets on Wednesday (4 July 2007), Customs continued to raid retail outlets and hawker stalls selling counterfeits found at Kweilin Street and Apliu Street today (7 July 2007). As a result of the operation, 10 retail shops and 8 hawker stalls were searched, with a total of 2,300 pieces of suspected counterfeit mobile phones and accessories (including batteries and Bluetooth headsets) being seized. The total value of the seizures was estimated to be worth HK$ 200,000. During the operation, 11 men and 7 women, aged between 20 and 60, were arrested. The operation is still underway.

Culprits attempted to lure customers into purchasing counterfeits at lower prices. The quality of the seizures varied, ranging from poor imitations, packaged with noticeable differences from the genuine product, to upper end replicas of the authentic goods.

Customs will continue its efforts of liaising with trademarks owners in a bid to counteract criminal activities involving counterfeit mobile phones and batteries. Customs will conduct patrol in order to detect for the presence of counterfeits on the market.

Meanwhile, trademark owners and members of the public are encouraged to report such criminal activities to Customs.

As the quality counterfeit mobile phones and accessories, inclusive of batteries, is not assured, short-circuiting and fire risks could easily ensue. The legal responsibility and warranty pertaining to counterfeit products is also subject to query. Customs therefore advises citizens to buy genuine products.

Customs also reminds businesses to refrain from dealing in counterfeit products, as this will attract criminal liability.

An offence under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance is punishable by a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000.

Ends/Saturday, July 7, 2007
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