Customs officers concluded a two-day operation yesterday  to crack down on fake bottled birds' nests, resulting in the seizure of 31,980 bottles of suspected fake birds' nests. This was the first time Customs had carried out such an operation.

Before mounting the operation, Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau officers made extensive investigations based on information given by the Consumer Council.

In the raids against 12 retail outlets and three office and warehouse premises, officers seized 31,980 bottles of suspected fake birds' nests with a retail value of about $2.1 million; and arrested four women and a man, aged 31 to 46, including the supplier and distributors.

Initial investigations revealed the seizures were sourced from the same factory in the Mainland. Hong Kong Customs has passed information to Guangdong Customs for them to probe into the source of the bottled birds' nests.

Results of preliminary analysis by the Government Chemist on samples of the seizures revealed the bottles did not contain birds' nests, and they did not contain any substance that is harmful to health. Detailed laboratory tests have yet to be completed.

Approach Consumer Council if in doubt

Head of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau Tam Yiu-keung said at a press conference today the success of this operation has proved the effectiveness of close co-operation between Customs and the Consumer Council, and both will continue to work closely to protect consumers' interests by eliminating fake goods.

He said this was an isolated incident involving unscrupulous business practices. So far, Customs have not received other reports of a similar nature.

Mr Tam advised consumers to count on reputable brand names in selecting bottled birds' nests for purchase, and approach the Consumer Council if in doubt about the veracity of a product.

Offenders liable to $500,000 fine & 5 years' jail

Mr Tam said Customs was fully committed to cracking down on fake goods.

He warned members of the public, including industry players, not to contravene the Trade Descriptions Ordinance as they would be liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Anyone with information about fake products can call Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.