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Customs seizes $100K worth of fake products
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Posted on Mar 02 2005
Law enforcers seized over $100,000-worth of counterfeit merchandise from several persons and companies, including three who are now facing criminal charges at the Superior Court.
The counterfeit merchandise bore popular brand names such as Hérmes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Polo, Gucci, Christian Dior, Lacoste, Burberry, Benetton, Calvin Klein, Walt Disney, and Nike.
The items included shirts, shoes, bags, wallets and purses, among others. They also include pirated DVDs.
The seizure of fake items came about following last year’s enactment of Public Law 14-22, or the Private Labels Protection Act, which criminalized the transporting and selling of counterfeit goods. The law provides a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment for violators.
Customs director Jay Santos said his men seized over 300 pieces of fake merchandise from several entities, including nine companies. He said the companies were assessed fines ranging from $200 to $500.
“If they continue to do this, we’re going to refer them to the attorney general,” Santos said, adding that most of those caught with counterfeit goods are first-time offenders.
The fake items, which included sandals, shoes, bags, wallets and DVDs, came from the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Korea.
Santos said the seized merchandise would be incinerated sometime this week.
The Attorney General’s Office yesterday charged three persons with using or trafficking counterfeit goods or services.
CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton identified the suspects as Kuk Young Jen, 34, Jung Soon Kim, 47, and a businessman known initially as Jun Guri Lang, who owns the NK Company Inc. that operates the Italy Gift Shop.
Hutton said the three defendants brought into the CNMI about 201 pieces of counterfeit Hermes and Gucci products that have a total price of $98,854. The fake merchandise include bags, wallets and purses.
