A 55-year-old man in northern Vietnam is being investigated for directing the production of counterfeit items bearing globally recognized brands, including Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Pierre Cardin. Police in Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam Province, announced Thursday that they are investigating Hoang Anh Tuan for allegedly violating industrial property rights, according to a statement on their news portal.
Twitter Space with Mr. Hem Pande, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE
24th December, 2024
In recognition of National Consumer Day and the collective responsibility to safeguard consumers and promote ethical trade practices, FICCI CASCADE hosted an engaging Twitter Space session titled “National Consumer Day: Fight Against Smuggled and Counterfeit Goods” on 24th December 2024. The session featured Mr. Hem Kumar Pande, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE. Drawing from his vast experience and expertise, Mr. Pande provided valuable insights into the ongoing fight against counterfeit and smuggled goods, shedding light on the challenges and strategies to address this pressing issue.
The interactive session highlighted the grave threat counterfeit and smuggled goods poses to consumer health and safety, emphasizing the critical risks associated with these illicit products. It underscored the importance of raising public awareness to empower consumers to make informed choices, thereby safeguarding public well-being. The session also shed light on the essential role of governments and law enforcement agencies in intensifying efforts to combat smuggling and sale of counterfeit goods. Collaboration between policymakers, enforcement authorities, and organizations like FICCI CASCADE was emphasized as essential for building a more robust framework to counter such illicit activities effectively. Furthermore, the discussions explored how fostering public awareness can create a more consumer-conscious society that actively rejects counterfeit products, contributing to a safer and more secure marketplace.
The discussions not only illuminated the multifaceted impacts of smuggled and counterfeit product on consumer health and safety but also delved into their broader economic and social repercussions. The session charted a forward-looking pathway to strengthen collective efforts by emphasizing the need for robust policies, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and widespread public awareness campaigns.
The virtual programme garnered enthusiastic participation from 19,000 attendees worldwide.
2 cops among 4 held in duty-free liquor smuggling
Hyderabad: Four individuals, including two policemen, were arrested by enforcement wing of the prohibition & excise department for allegedly running a racket involving the illegal sale of duty-free liquor bottles purchased at stores inside Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). The arrested are — RGIA police station constable M Gemya Naik, home guard Bandari Lingaiah, software professional Harish Kumar, and Raghavendra Rao, a manager at a hotel in Gachibowli.
Manipur man held for smuggling 72L gold at IGI airport
New Delhi: A man from Manipur has been arrested by the customs officials for trying to smuggle into the country gold, concealed in rectum, at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here, according to an official statement issued on Monday. The accused (24) was intercepted after his arrival from Jeddah on Friday, it said.
“During personal and baggage checks, officers recovered 3 oval-shaped capsules containing yellow chemical paste suspected to be gold, weighing 1,063 grams (including concealing material) concealed in rectum cavity. After extraction, this resulted in the recovery of 951 grams of an uneven-shaped gold bar with a tariff value of Rs 70,37,552,” the customs department said in a post on X.Further, two gold biscuits weighing 23 grams, valued at Rs 1.7 lakh, were also recovered from his baggage.
165 kgs of adulterated tea powder seized from unit in Hyderabad’s Chandanagar; Food colours and flavour was used
Hyderabad police commissioner’s Task Force (South Zone) along with the Food Safety team conducted a raid on a tea manufacturing unit, where the product was allegedly adulterated, in Chandanagar. They have seized 130 kgs of adulterated tea powder in packets, 35 kgs of loose tea powder which was adulterated and food colours used in the adulteration.
The police said that the 46-year-old accused D. Chandra Shekar, who stays in Chandanagar, was found adulterating tea powder by mixing it with a sunset yellow colour and another colour to make it appear as high-quality tea powder. A cardamom flavour too was added.
BSF Nabs 13 Bangladeshi Smugglers, Seizes Contraband Worth Over Rs 10 Lakh in Meghalaya
Shillong, Dec 23: Acting on specific intelligence on Sunday, vigilant troops of 4 Bn, BSF Meghalaya Frontier, apprehended 13 Bangladeshi nationals involved in smuggling activities, a BSF source said. In addition, BSF troops seized 35 bags of sugar along with other contraband items, including liquor, tea, copper wire, local cigarettes, skin cream, blankets, garlic, and other edible items.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs. 10.50 lakh, it further informed. The apprehended individuals were handed over to Dawki Police Station, West Jaintia Hills district, for further legal action after a medical examination at PHC Dawki. The special operations were conducted at various locations in the East Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and South Garo Hills districts.
https://ukhrultimes.com/bsf-nabs-bangladeshi-smugglers-with-contrabands/
750K contraband cigarettes seized in Vancouver CBSA investigation
Border agents in B.C. announced the seizure of more than 750,000 contraband cigarettes Thursday.
The seizure took place Nov. 19, the Canada Border Services Agency said in a news release, noting that the investigation began back in February.
At that time, CBSA criminal investigators began looking into a “cigarette smuggling operation” after intercepting “numerous contraband cigarette shipments” at Vancouver International Airport and the Vancouver International Mail Centre, the agency said.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/750k-contraband-cigarettes-seized-in-vancouver-cbsa-investigation-1.7152318
Six shopkeepers arrested for selling fake Apple products
The police have arrested six shopkeepers for selling counterfeit Apple products. During the raid, authorities seized 4,677 fake phone back covers, 557 back panels, 74 cables and 53 adapters. An FIR has been filed at the Sector 56 police station.The arrested individuals were identified as Rahul, Sanjeev Kumar, Rahul Kadam, Devender Tiwari, Ishant Nasa and Brijender Singh.The arrests followed a complaint received at the police station. A raid was then conducted, leading to the seizure of the fake mobile accessories.“All six shopkeepers were caught selling counterfeit products and they are currently being questioned,” said a Gurugram police spokesperson.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/six-shopkeepers-arrested-for-selling-fake-apple-products/
270 Cartons of Smuggled Foreign Cigarettes Worth Rs 2.6 Crore Seized in Tripura, One Held
Agartala: In a successful anti-smuggling operation conducted by security forces, more than 270 cartons of imported foreign cigarettes containing nearly 25 lakh sticks were seized in Tripura’s Dhalai district, police said on Thursday. Police said that one smuggler has been arrested in connection with the case. According to an official release, one individual was arrested in connection with the smuggling activity.
Assam Rifles, Mizoram Police seize foreign cigarettes worth Rs 7.8 crore; one held
Aizawl, Dec 19 (IANS) Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police in a joint operation seized foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 7.8 crore from Cherhlun in the state’s Lawngtlai district, officials here said on Thursday.
Assam Rifles sources said that the troops of the para-military force along with Mizoram Police acting on a secret operation seized foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 7.8 crore from Cherhlun village on Wednesday night.