China seizes fake products worth 172.9 bln RMB in 2013

China's Ministry of Public Security has reported that it seized 55,180 cases of fake goods involving 172.9 billion yuan (US$ 28.6 billion) in 2013, according to a press conference held on Jan. 21.

The ministry apprehended 59,222 criminal suspects in relation to the production and sale of fake goods in its year-long anti-counterfeiting operation.

This year, the ministry focused on counterfeiting crimes that jeopardize the public interest, including fake food, drugs, means of agricultural production, daily necessities and mechanical and electric goods.

A total of 24,000 cases of fake food and drugs and 1069 cases of fake agricultural goods were investigated. Over 9000 tons of counterfeit and inferior goods were seized, including cooking oil collected from kitchen waste, ‘lamb slices' made from diseased pork and other goods that endanger the health of the Chinese people.

The public security organ also cracked down on fake medicine. It made record-breaking achievements in busting online sales of counterfeit medicines and seized 300 million fake pills valued at 2.2 billion yuan.

The ministry also strengthened international cooperation to combat cross-border crimes.

It worked in sync with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last May in a net-tightening operation, busting an international fake drug ring on April 8, 2013, arresting 8 suspects and busting a criminal ring operating in China while sales and trafficking of fake drugs in the U.S.

Last June, the ministry took part in "Operation Hurricane," an Interpol-led campaign against counterfeiting and illicit trade, resolving 2,914 cases.