The operation took place in the north. Inspectors from the Chilean National Customs Service seized a total of 3.456 counterfeit thermal patches without sanitary authorization in the Iquique Free Trade Zone. The merchandise arrived from China. An importer intended to send them to Ovalle, Coquimbo (center).
"The procedure responds to the role of community protection that Customs plays by preventing all types of smuggling," explained the Regional Director of the Iquique Customs, Dennys Beltrand Santos, adding "especially when it comes to goods harmful to health as these products were, which imitated a well-known brand of heat patches, and also claimed to contain belladonna."
Without health authorization
The official said that the merchandise arrived from China for a Free Trade Zone importer. As a preventive measure, its traceability was maintained. “For this reason, when they tried to send them to the rest of the country, a review protocol was activated in the Zofri Aforo yard and it was found that they were counterfeit and unregistered products.” no approval from the health authority.”
In total they seized 3.456 “Lion” patches which imitated the label, designs and colours of the “León” brand, which is registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property of Chile (Inapi), in addition to the fact that it did not comply with health requirements and authorisations.
Once the irregularity was detected, the immediate suspension of the office was decreed, and a complaint and a lawsuit were prepared.
MP3
In another procedure, 80 mp3s were detected that imitate the Sony brand and that they were intended to be sent to Santiago.
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