MDTCA seized counterfiet Nike and Adidas

By: Mac Grimes

KOTA KINABALU: State Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) yesterday seized suspected counterfeit Nike and Adidas apparel worth at least RM 101,860 from a shopping mall here.

Its Sabah director, Georgie Abas, said the shop premises located on the ground floor level was merely used as a storage facility for an online business.

“2,926 articles of clothing from shoes to jerseys and bags were seized along with statements gathered from seven of its employees.

“The raid followed after a week’s worth of investigations based on an anonymous tip,” he said.

It is learnt the virtual store has been operating since early this month targeting locals on social media with supplies obtained from Singapore.

However, Georgie said the store never marketed their items as authentic.

“Nevertheless, the premise owner is a suspect to committing an offence under the Trademarks Act 2019 with the case investigated under Section 102 (1) (c) for importing and selling goods with falsely applied trademarks,” he added.

The penalty if convicted is a maximum fine of RM 10,000 per item or three years imprisonment or both.

In other MDTCA developments, two entrepreneurs plead guilty and were fined RM 4,400 and RM 4,950 each at the Sessions Court here on the same day.

They were charged under the very act for possessing 87 units of imitation Gillette brand shaving blades. The duo had chosen to pay for their crimes.