Millions worth of counterfeit shoes seized at store in downtown Kingston, supervisor charged

A supervisor at a haberdashery along Barry Street in downtown Kingston has been arrested and charged by the police following the seizure of more than 1,900 pairs of counterfeit shoes.

Fifty-one-year-old Hou Qin, a Chinese national, is charged with unauthorised use of a trademark and misleading and deceptive conduct.

Police report that on Wednesday, April 1, a team from the Transnational Crime Investigation Division (TCID) of the Specialized Investigation Branch (SIB) was conducting an operation about 11:30 a.m. on Barry Street when the establishment was searched and the items were seized.

According to the police, the estimated street value of the items seized is $6.3 million.

In response to the arrest, Head of TCID, Detective Inspector Troy Daure, said the SIB will pursue those who breach intellectual property and trademark laws.

“I want to advise the public to purchase goods from reputable and authorised retailers. Counterfeit products that are illegally manufactured and sold under another company's brand name pose serious risks to customers, as they are often produced without adherence to safety and quality standards. The Transnational Crime Investigation Division within the Specialized Investigation Branch will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who breach intellectual property and trademark laws,” said Daure.

Qin is to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday, April 20.

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