Officers raid four stores in commercial districts, with haul including counterfeit Angong Niuhuang pills and Ricqles Peppermint Cure
Hong Kong customs has seized counterfeit Chinese proprietary medicine and other items worth HK$1.1 million (US$140,127) in raids on four shops in commercial districts, with a company director and four staff members arrested.
The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday the medicines included fake Angong Niuhuang pills and Ricqles Peppermint Cure, as well as skincare and cosmetic products found in stores in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Shui.
“We noticed that these products are highly realistic, making it difficult for the public to distinguish their authenticity. However, some anti-counterfeit features have still been crudely made, out of cost concerns,” said Inspector Ho Ko-jit of customs’ intellectual property general investigation division.
“The items seized are intended for direct consumption or application to the skin. The ingredients and efficacy of these counterfeit goods are unknown, which could endanger consumers’ health.”
