Members of Regina Border Integrity Section conducted four Search and Seizure operations on different businesses operating in the Regina area. They seized a total of 561 Counterfeit cell phone accessories and 273 electrical products that had no Canadian third party testing certification present. The total street value of the seized property is over $17,000.
Dealing in counterfeit products is against the law and persons found committing these types of offences are liable to face severe criminal penalties including large fines up to 1 million dollars and terms of imprisonment for up to five years.
The price may be attractive but the ultimate cost may be very high. Counterfeit products pose a serious health and safety risk to people who purchase them because they are not subject to any type of testing and do not meet safety standards. These products can lead to serious personal injuries and even death.
Among the counterfeit items that police have seized in the past are toothpaste, headphones, chain saws, hockey helmets, light fixtures, automobile parts, circuit breakers, pharmaceuticals, shampoo, batteries, cell phone chargers, cell phone cases and razor blades.
Electrical products and batteries are regulated in Canada to have a third party certification, ensuring that the products meet specific Canadian standards. Counterfeit or unregulated electrical products or batteries can explode or cause fires.
Luxury counterfeit products such as cosmetics and perfumes can cause allergic reactions and burns. Genuine cosmetic products are rigorously tested and must comply with Canadian law in order to be sold to the public. Counterfeit makeup and perfume, however, is unregulated and may contain unknown chemicals.
Other safety hazards of counterfeit or fake products can include toys (that have not been tested, that have dangerous paint, or pose a choking hazard, or contain unsanitary stuffing or flammable fabric), pharmaceuticals (that are purchased on line that have little to no active ingredients and may contain hazardous products that can cause further medical conditions), counterfeit smart phones and chargers with falsified safety certification that can cause electrocution, and counterfeit razor blades with faulty welding that can cause scarring.
In 2011 the RCMP entered into 876 investigations involving counterfeit merchandise, and seized over $67.5 million worth of pirated and counterfeit products.
With holiday shopping well underway, the RCMP wants to encourage the public to only purchase gifts from reputable retailers. Counterfeit products can usually be spotted with a few simple checks prior to purchasing any item. If the price is much lower than the price for known authentic goods, it is too good to be true. It's likely counterfeit if the packaging has poor quality graphics, spelling mistakes, appearance, competitor brands being sold in the same packaging or beside each other on a shelf, if products normally sold in a package are being sold individually, missing labels, name brand or certification misspelled or missing or if the product is made of very poor quality materials.
While enforcement is necessary, making an impact on this crime also requires public awareness and enhanced agency partnerships. The RCMP works closely with its partners, including Health Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and private industry to educate consumers, retailers, law enforcement, and government agencies on the serious health and safety consequences of modern day counterfeit products.
Anyone with information regarding the sale or production of counterfeit merchandise is asked to contact the RCMP Regina Border Integrity Section at 1-306-780-7972. Persons who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
