Following a two-month investigation, the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Greater Toronto Area
Federal Enforcement Section have charged two Toronto-area men
and a Toronto import-export company with four counts each of
dealing in counterfeit products.
Charged under Sections 408(b)(i);
380(1)(b); 354(1)(b); and 180 (1)(a) of the Criminal Code of
Canada are:
Saleem KHAN, age 59, Inverdon Road,
Etobicoke, Ontario; Faroze KHAN, age 35, Indian Summer Trail,
Mississauga, Ontario; and CANA IMPORT EXPORT LTD., The
Queensway, Etobicoke, Ontario.
Police allege the accused knowingly took
part in the sale and distribution of counterfeit electrical
products, which were determined to cause a danger to the
public as they were known to be a shock and fire hazard.
In January 2005, the RCMP executed search
warrants at Cana Import Export Ltd. on The Queensway in
Etobicoke, Ontario and Evans Avenue in Toronto, Ontario.
Police seized approximately 517 electrical power bars,
approximately 936 orange heavy duty extension cords and
approximately 5,470 assorted household extension cords bearing
forged Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification markings.
When tested by Underwriters Laboratories,
the counterfeit extension cords melted and caught fire within
a matter of minutes. The power bars were found to have
undersized wiring and no surge suppression. They were also
found to have reverse polarity wiring, which is a shock
hazard, and a plastic casing which ignited immediately since
it was not made of fire-resistant material.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian
Standards Association (CSA) are two of the most widely
recognized names in product safety testing. The Canadian
public trusts products with these certification markings to be
safe for use in their homes and businesses.
"Knowingly selling and distributing
hazardous counterfeit products such as these is a threat to
public safety and to each and every person who purchases
them," said Constable Judy Laurence of the RCMP Greater
Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section. "It also
defrauds retailers who are selling legitimate products and
undermines public confidence in the safety certification
process."
"Internationally, Interpol has
indicated that organized crime and terrorist groups have
become involved in the trade of counterfeit products,"
added Constable Laurence. "The profits generated from
these sales go to other areas of criminal and terrorist
activities."
"Underwriters Laboratories is
extremely pleased with the responsiveness and dedication shown
by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," said Steve Wenc,
acting general counsel and director of ethics and compliance
for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. "They have devoted
considerable resources, time and effort to catch the
perpetrators of these crimes and have never wavered in their
commitment to this initiative."
"Though instances of counterfeit UL
Marks are rare, when we learn of it, we use every possible
measure to see the criminals bought to justice," added
Mr. Wenc.
Other hazardous products seized at Cana
include approximately 1,400 baby bottles and approximately 60
pacifiers.
These seizures and charges are part of
Project Ocat, an RCMP anti-counterfeiting initiative launched
in October 2004 with a mandate to target counterfeit products
in the Greater Toronto Area. Since its inception, Project Ocat
has seized more than $3 million (retail price) of counterfeit
products including toys, sports jerseys, clothing, ball caps,
pharmaceuticals, work boots, running shoes, batteries,
shampoo, computer software, computer games, anti-virus
software, electrical products, lights and lamps. Most of these
counterfeit items were seized at various cargo and postal
facility outlets in the Greater Toronto Area.
The accused were scheduled for a first
court appearance on Tuesday, April 26, 2005. The investigation
continues.
For further information:
Media contacts: Constable Judy Laurence,
RCMP GTA Federal Enforcement Section, (905) 876-9537 - office,
(905) 299-6515 - cell;
Joe Hirschmugl, Media Relations Supervisor,
Underwriters Laboratories Inc., (416) 757-3611 ext. 41508 |
