Updated: 01/07/2014 15:48 | By Channel NewsAsia
S'pore Customs hands over 77,850 counterfeit vodka bottles for destruction
SINGAPORE: 77,850 empty counterfeit vodka bottles, 18 boxes of bottle caps and 10 boxes of labels have been handed to the brand's legal representative for destruction.
Singapore Customs said the counterfeit items were seized in June last year.
They were declared as "general cargoes", shipped from a neighbouring country in eleven 20-foot containers, and intended for another country.
Singapore Customs said its officers inspected the containers in Keppel Distripark on 6 June 2013 and found the counterfeit items, all bearing the name of a vodka brand.
The items are suspected to be used for illegal bottling activities and sale outside Singapore.
The brand owner successfully applied to the court for the detained items to be forfeited to it, for destruction.
Singapore Customs said the items were handed to the brand's legal representative on 26 December 2013.
"Singapore Customs does not condone such illegal trading activities, especially when the goods involved may potentially pose health or safety risks," said Tok Choon Min, acting head of operations management branch at Singapore Customs.
"We will work closely with brand owners to take appropriate action against offenders in accordance with the Trade Marks Act." - CNA/xq
