Fake cosmetics worth Dh1m seized in Dubai Police raid.
25, November 2018 l Gulf News
Dubai: Thousands of counterfeit cosmetic products valued at Dh1 million have been seized in Dubai, a police official said.
Colonel Omar Mohammad Bin Hammad, deputy director of the Anti-Economic Crime Department, said the products were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Bur Dubai.
“We received information about a warehouse with fake products. We raided the place and found 220,000 fake cosmetic products and make-up [kits] carrying famous brands’ logos. [The seized products were] worth Dh1 million,” Col Bin Hammad said. An Arab national running the warehouse was arrested.
“The warehouse was raided just before the products were to be distributed in local markets,” Col Bin hamad said. The seized products included different types of lip stick, nail polish and powder.
Colonel Bin Hamad said that people selling fake products are increasingly hawking their wares on social media, rather than on the streets.
https://gulfnews.com/uae/crime/fake-cosmetics-worth-dh1m-seized-in-dubai-police-raid-1.60319248
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Experts stress on 3 C’s to fight illicit trade.
22, November 2018 l SME Times
Experts participating at an FICCI CASCADE training programme viewed that there is a need to create communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to curb the growing menace of illicit trade.
FICCI organised the training program for Delhi police officials at the Academy for Smart Policing, New Delhi.
Experts at the event viewed that All speakers unanimously agreed on the fact that the existence and operation of smuggling and counterfeiting is not only broad in scope and large in value but is impacting the global economy, causing losses to both industry & government, and most importantly affecting the health and safety of the consumers adversely.
The training was inaugurated by Mr K Jagadeesan, Jt. Commissioner of Police-Training, Delhi Police.
Jagadeesan emphasized that India, as a rising economic superpower need to take offences related to counterfeiting and smuggling very seriously and police has a significant role in fighting this menace.
http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/news/top-stories/2018/Nov/22/illicit-trade-ficci-cascade41551.html
Lear MorePREVENTION OF COUNTERFEITING, SMUGGLING AND PIRACY – Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers, New Delhi
November 22, 2018 Academy for Smart Policing, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Over some time now, trade in counterfeit, smuggled and pirated goods has developed into a substantial threat to the Indian economy and pose serious safety and security hazards to the society at large. Different government agencies are involved at various stages in tackling such crimes, right from detection, investigation, prosecution to prevention of such offences, often including the recovery of the proceeds of crime. The Police department is the primary law enforcement agency in our country. With low barriers to market entry and infiltration, the Police plays a very significant role in ensuring the protection of right owners. Although there are adequate laws available, their enforcement makes the role of police officers even more important in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers.
FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy [CASCADE] in its endeavor to combat crimes related to smuggling and counterfeiting has over the years been sensitizing the country’s enforcement agencies on this issue, equipping them to understand and take requisite action against the various economic offenders. In this backdrop, FICCI CASCADE organized a training programme in association with Delhi Police on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy for the Delhi Police officers on November 22, 2018 at the Academy of Smart Policing, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. A key objective of the program was to sensitize the participating officials on the seriousness of the socio-economic impact of counterfeited and smuggled goods, in terms of the huge revenue losses to the government and industry as well as the significant health and safety consequences faced by consumers.
The program was inaugurated by Mr. K Jagadeesan, Jt. Commissioner of Police-Training, Delhi Police, who observed that India as a rising economic superpower needed to take offences relating to counterfeiting and smuggling very seriously and that police had a significant role in fighting this menace. He further reiterated that although such offenses were looked at as a victimless crime, it had many far-reaching consequences which was why is was extremely important for a police officer to understand the consequences before taking actions on ground. “Only then will an officer investigating a case related to smuggling and counterfeiting be able to understand and take suitable actions”, Mr. Jagadeesan emphasized.
Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, in his address informed about FICCI CASCADE’s mandate of capacity building of law enforcement agencies including Judges, Police and Customs Officers, and how CASCADE had been working extensively and intensively in this area across the country, organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous Interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize the importance of increased awareness on the gravity of the problem.
Mr. Chand correlated smuggling and counterfeiting activity with the security challenge in different environments around the world. He cited various instances where illicit trade in goods was being increasingly used to fund anti-social and terrorist activities. He also felt that the need of the hour was tangible actions to increase enforcement, accompanied by enhanced punishments for effective deterrance. This is imperative to reassure legitimate business owners and consumers that the government is serious about protecting right owners, and this will, in turn, encourage greater support for government policies.
The training programme was attended by senior police officers of the rank Asst. Commissioner of Police and above, and provided a useful platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the enforcement of laws and practices while dealing with the perpetrators. This workshop was extremely helpful in sensitizing the police officers about the relevant laws and procedures to be followed while dealing with the cases related to smuggling and counterfeiting. The technical sessions were followed by an Interactive-Session between the participating officials and industry representatives. Industry members highlighted some of the on-ground practical issues which they faced while trying to curb the availability of spurious goods and collaborative actions they sought from police to counter this menace. Prototypes of fake and smuggled goods available in the markets were also displayed and discussed with the officers.
Among the speakers who discussed the wide-ranging concerns on the issue of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling with the participating police officials were: Dr. Kshitij Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi, Mr. Udaykiran Devineni, ICE Representative, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, US Embassy, Ms. Priya Rao, Partner K&S Partners, Intellectual Property Attorneys, Mr. Madhuresh Singh, Head-Legal, Puma and Mr. Anubhav Jain, South Asia ACF Investigations Manager, Global Anti-Counterfeit Program, APJ Region Global Brand Security Group, HP.
All speakers unanimously agreed that the issue of illicit trade should be addressed as a high priority problem by the government. An orchestrated strategy including communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to combat this menace is imperative. Meanwhile, FICCI-CASCADE, in pursuance of its mandate, will continue to hold similar programmes across the country in briefing enforcement agencies on the procedural and enforcement issues while tackling illicit trading activities.
Gold smuggling: For smuggling gold worth Rs 14 lakh, senior staff of Air India SATS, SriLankan Airlines held.
13, November 2018 l Times Now
New Delhi: Senior employees of Air India SATS and SriLankan Airlines are among three men held for allegedly smuggling gold worth over Rs 14 lakh at Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued Tuesday. It said an Indian man was intercepted after his arrival from Dubai on Sunday. He was apprehended in the toilet of international arrival hall while handing over smuggled gold to one airport staff working as a duty manager for AISATS, Delhi, it said.
“A detailed personal and baggage search of the passenger and airport staff resulted in the recovery of four gold bars total weighing 464 grams having a market value of Rs 14.39 lakh,” the statement issued by the customs said. Air India SATS or AISATS is a 50:50 joint venture between Air India Limited, and Singapore-based SATS Limited, a gateway services and food solutions provider in Asia.
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Bengal Man Arrested With 26 Gold Biscuits In Artificial Kneecap.
12, November 2018 | NDTV
The Border Security Force on Monday seized gold biscuits worth Rs. 95 lakh from the Indo-Bangladesh border area of West Bengal’s Nadia district and arrested a gold smuggler, a BSF officer said.
Acting on a tip-off, the BSF troopers conducted a raid near border outpost Mustafapur in Nadia district’s Krishnanagar area and arrested one Indian national with the smuggled gold biscuits.
“Lokman Pal, 47, of North 24 Parganas district’s Gangulia village was arrested with 26 gold biscuits worth Rs. 95.16 lakh while he was returning after talking to a Bangladeshi national near the international border fence,” said Rabi Ranjan, a senior officer of BSF’s South Bengal frontier.
“The accused had the gold biscuits hidden in an artificial kneecap on his right leg. He has been handed over to Bagda police station along with the seized consignment for further legal action,” he said.
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Sergey Kapinos: India, Pakistan must cooperate to fight drugs and crime.
12, November 2018 l The Statesman
Sergey Kapinos, a Russian career diplomat, assumed the post of the Representative United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for South Asia in November 2016. The office covers six South Asian countries ~ Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Prior to his appointment at UNODC, he was Ambassador, Head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Bishkek. As the Regional Representative, Kapinos’s focus is to increase awareness about the risks and impact of organised crime and corruption on the rule-of-law and security of the people in the region, and to advocate for the comprehensive implementation of the UN Conventions to counter these.
Kapinos, who was one of the speakers at a FICCI Cascade’s international conference recently, spoke to Ashok Tuteja on the margins of the meet Excerpts.
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Delhi: Court orders sealing of ‘fake’ goods worth Rs 20 lakh
09, November 2018 | Indian Express
After the intervention of a Delhi court, counterfeit products of Puma — a multinational company that manufactures footwear, apparel and accessories — worth Rs 20 lakh were identified and sealed in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, on November 3. The matter came to fore after counsel for Puma, Shashi P Ojha, approached the court seeking ex-parte injunction and ex-parte appointment of local commissioner on account of “infringement of trademark”.
On October 29, Ojha approached court and said that if the relief is not granted, the company will “suffer irreparable loss and injury” as the defendant was selling goods using the company’s trademark. “Thus causing substantial loss to the business of the plaintiff, Puma…” the lawyer submitted.
After listening to the submission, Additional District Judge Anil Antil said: “The plaintiff has been successful in making out a good prima facie case in its favour for grant of ex-parte injunction and for ex-parte appointment of local commissioner.
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25,000 counterfeit cigarettes seized from Barrow man.
08, November 2018 | The Mail
Alan Mason, of Hartington Street, Barrow, was caught in a sting at a pub in the town by Cumbria Trading Standards after a several complaints.
The 65-year-old was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000, and a victim surcharge of £85, as well as being given a 16 week curfew.
Mason pleaded guilty at Barrow Magistrates Court to selling illegal tobacco from licensed premises.
Trading standards arranged to meet Mason and buy the goods off him after a tip-off from the public.
Following this, officers visited Mason’s home where a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal hand rolling tobacco was seized.
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/17211321.25000-counterfeit-cigarettes-seized-from-barrow-man/
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2 Women Arrested For Smuggling Gold Worth 42 Lakh At Delhi Airport: Cops
07 November 2018 | NDTV
Two Mumbai-bound women have been apprehended by the CISF at the IGI Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday for allegedly trying to smuggle eight small gold bars worth Rs. 42 lakh by concealing them in shoes, a senior official said.
The incident took place early on Tuesday when a woman security personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detected some suspicious items in the shoe of one of the women, who was identified as Karishma Thakur. Eight small gold bars were recovered from the woman’s shoes, the official said.
A CISF spokesperson said Karishma Thakur was accompanied by another woman and they had landed at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport from Chennai and were supposed to take a flight to Mumbai.
“On enquiry, both the passengers could not produce any relevant document and did not give satisfactory reply. The two women, along with the recovered gold bars weighing about 1.32-kg and worth approximately Rs. 42 lakh, were handed over to Income Tax Department officials for further action,” the spokesperson said.
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Cops seize over Dh100 million worth of fake goods in UAE.
04, November 2018 | Khaleej Times
More than Dh100 million worth of counterfeit products, which were being sold in the capital, have been seized by the Abu Dhabi Police, authorities announced on Sunday.
The Abu Dhabi Police said the products were in commercial markets. Some of the products were copied from 31 “prestigious” brands. Authorities said that they began their operation from January of this year.
The products included gold, medical devices, various vehicles parts, smoking supplies including electronics, miscellaneous accessories, clothing, perfume, glasses, watches, bags, wallets, and shoes.
Brigadier Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, acting director of the Criminal Security Sector of the Abu Dhabi Police explained that seizing the products were conducted by the Economic Crimes Department of the Criminal Investigations Department. He pointed out that the shops were raided after completing all legal procedures and verifying the location of the counterfeit goods.
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