CTOC seizes J$7m in counterfeit goods in MoBay
Published:Friday | February 21, 2020 | 12:36 AMAdrian Frater/News Editor
Western Bureau:
The police’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime (CTOC) unit struck yesterday in Montego Bay, seizing counterfeit goods valued at several million dollars at the New Super 88 Store, located on Barnett Street in the St James parish capital.
According to Assistant Superintendent Victor Barrett, a member of the CTOC team, the unit was responding to reports that the Chinese nationals operating the store were allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit goods.
“When we came to the establishment, on close inspection, we discovered that counterfeit goods are here, so we are here doing our investigation,” said Barrett, who intimated that store operators would be arrested and charged in connection with the items seized once the operation was complete.
While the operation was still ongoing, Barrett said that the items already seized, which ranged from bags to shoes, were valued at about J$7 million.
PUBLIC BEWARE
“Our intelligence is suggesting that there might be other locations, so we are continuing our investigation,” said Barrett.
Barrett cautioned members of the public who might have purchased the counterfeit items, noting that they would be facilitating a breach of the copyright law.
“I would encourage the public that they should be careful when shopping for items. They should look out for the three ‘Ps’ … the place in which you are buying, the price, and the product … look at the packaging … you can smell some of the chemicals (used in making the items) … so the advice to citizens is to be careful that you are getting value for money, and be careful that you are buying goods that are fit for humans,” Barrett said.
In recent months, CTOC has carried out several operations, seizing millions of dollars worth of counterfeit goods and arresting several persons linked to the illegal trade.