US authorities teamed with Hong Kong Customs officials to seize nearly 5000 counterfeit items during the last month, many relating to Super Bowl.
In January and February, Hong Kong Customs and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) carried out a joint operation to fight cross-border counterfeiting activities resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods in Hong Kong worth about HK$660,000.
A Customs official said the action was “one of the ongoing collaborative moves Hong Kong Customs has taken with the international law enforcement authorities to curb transnational counterfeiting activities”.
In January, “the month leading to a famous US sports event” – clearly a reference to Super Bowl – Hong Kong Customs selected outbound express parcels suspected of containing counterfeit goods destined for the US for inspection. This resulted in the seizure of over 100 pieces of counterfeit sports-related items, including jerseys and hats.
Hong Kong Customs officers also mounted a strike-and-search operation in Mong Kok on February 3. In that operation, one hawker stall and its related storage were raided. The stall keeper was arrested with over 4400 Hong Kong counterfeit goods seized, including 400 pieces of counterfeit goods related to the sports event.
A Hong Kong Customs spokesman said the organisation will continue to work with overseas authorities to combat transnational counterfeiting activities.