By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, SEPT 10, 2016: IN a continued offensive against unscrupulous elements involved in violations of provisions of laws on Intellectual Property, Environment Protection, wild life, CITES, Explosives and FSSAI, one 40 feet container imported by one such Importer was intercepted and examined by a team of officers Delhi ICD which resulted in one of the biggest seizures of counterfeit goods of reputed international brands of Cosmetics and Sports Shoes. The Customs has arrested the importer.

For quite some time the Indian Customs, particularly, ICD Delhi, has been keeping an eye on illegal import of counterfeit and un-authorised import of goods of reputed national & international Brands. The officers developed an intelligence of clandestine import of counterfeit goods of reputed international brands and intercepted a consignment imported as different variety of Chinese Toys. The goods on examination were found to be Cosmetics of reputed brands like L'Oreal, Lakme, and Maybelline, and Sports Shoes of Adidas and Nike Brands. Goods having market value of Rs 7.50 crores were placed under seizure.

Immediately owners of IPR holders were contacted to ascertain the authenticity of quality and value of goods under Import. IPR holders Hindustan Unilever Ltd., L'OREAL, Maybelline and of Adidas and Nike sent their experts for evaluation and they certified lots of cosmetics bearing their respective brands collectively valued at Rs 7.48 crores in the market to be counterfeit which is being seen as one of the largest seizure of counterfeit cosmetics and sports shoes of reputed international brands. Samples of seized Cosmetics have been sent for forensic testing. The seized cosmetics and perfumes apart from being IPR infringing also qualify as "Spurious cosmetics" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act'1940 as amended.

The Importer (IEC Holder) is 28 years old man and has no business training or acumen and does not possess any financial muscle to organize import of such diverse items of internationally reputed brands at such a huge scale. He appears to be merely a pawn in the entire game played by the mastermind. Further, investigations are in progress.

Entire business dealings were being done on phone so as not to leave any paper trail. The Importer has admitted his daring attempt at outright smuggling and at evasion of duty. The Importer was arrested and produced before the Duty Magistrate, Patiala House, Delhi who remanded them to judicial custody till 16.09.2016.