Cops destroy 33,000 pairs of imitation shoes

The Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime (C-TOC) Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Thursday morning said it continues to reap success in efforts to remove counterfeits goods from the nation's streets.

More than six million CDs and DVDs, some 33,000 pairs of imitation brand footwear, 25,000 pieces of fake apparel and a large quantity of fake cigarettes, rum and bleaching cream were among the items confiscated.

The total estimated value of the items seized over the past 12 months is roughly $1.5 billion.

According to Deputy Commander of  C-TOC, Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers, the trade in counterfeit goods is linked to an organised crime network which funds illicit activities.

“During this campaign, several persons and companies have been exposed to mass operation and the results are encouraging," he said.

“We conducted 32 major operations islandwide. We arrested 25 persons for serious intellectual property rights breaches. We formally interviewed 112 persons, and so far we have had 12 convictions,” Chambers said.

Chambers said the items seized will be publicly destroyed.