Customs officers have seized 160 suspected counterfeit textbooks worth about $33,000.

During yesterday's anti-counterfeiting operation, officers raided eight bookstores in Kwai Fong, Lam Tin, Kwun Tong, Hung Hom, Chai Wan and Shau Kei Wan. All the books were in full colour and of good printing quality.

Nine men and three women, aged 15 to 52, were arrested.

The shops had put the fake books up for sale alongside their genuine versions to evade a Customs crackdown. Investigations are continuing.