Spanish Town retailer charged after several knock-off goods seized at store

A retailer at a store in Spanish Town, St Catherine, has been charged following the seizure of several counterfeit goods yesterday.

The individual was charged with breaches of the Trademarks Act.

A visit to the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Unit in downtown Kingston, saw goods carrying the names of brands ranging from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Reebok, Nike, Adidas and Clarks.

Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit, Deputy Superintendent Carl Berry told The Gleaner that while his agency is ramping up measures to curb illicit trade, the onus is on consumers to be equally diligent and aware so as to avoid wasting money on fake brands.

“There was no brand that we took up that was legitimate. All (goods) were picked up from one store. Persons who play in the illicit trade, stop at nothing to legitimise everything they do, to divert law enforcement but they can’t do that to us,” he said.

“We have found a product which displayed both adidas and Nike on the same product. That’s kind of impossible because they are competing with each other. So unless and until there is a merger then that’s not going to happen. So those are some of the things you have to look for.”

He gave credit to a number or organisations which he said made the operation successful.