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The Ashanti Regional Police Command on suspicion of selling and distributing fake insecticide and mosquito repellents has taken three distributors and store owners into custody.
Following complaints from the only UK importer of Kill It Insecticides, Evergreen Chemist Limited, the police conducted an operation to seize the counterfeit goods in Adum and Tech that were purportedly imported from Nigeria. Charges against the accused include trademark forgery and deception by false pretences, which carry fines or imprisonment of up to three years. In order to combat the increasing penetration of counterfeit goods, the coordinated operation was conducted throughout the Kumasi commercial centre and key markets, such as Adum and Tech.
Unknown individuals in nearby nations, particularly Nigeria, were manufacturing and distributing these goods, which were purchased for less than the original.
Consumers are duped by the fake goods, which also compromise public health and safety. In a statement, Abigail Del, the only importer of “Kill It” pesticide spray, lamented the situation and said that dealers of the original product were negatively impacted by the infiltration due to their low sales.
“Some of the perpetrators were my customers. They started buying, leaving ours expired. Our sales have gone down, and we needed to take action because the counterfeit damages the body and it’s harmful. We have assessed the product with the FDA, and it’s proven to be harmful.
The fake distributors altered the UK flag insignia, which comes with a tag that states it is made in England, to say it is made in the PRC, she said. Ashanti Regional Police Commander DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe confirmed the three people, who are being held by the police and are being investigated.
The suspects could face charges for packaging, labelling, advertising, and selling drugs, herbal products, medicine, or cosmetics in a way that is false, misleading, and deceiving to the public and consumers, he explained. “The criminal offences ACT 2960, forging of trademark, or counterfeit any goods shall be guilty of misdemeanour not more than 3 years imprisonment or a fine.
They might also face charges of defrauding by false pretence. We understand the fake one is coming from our neighbour, Nigeria,” he said.
Although DCOP Teye Cudjoe assured the public that police will always be on the lookout for criminals, he also urged consumers to be mindful of the goods they buy.
“We’ll remain watchful at all times. We are still in the early stages of the operation and will investigate the source. The fact that buyers are informed of the distinctions and act accordingly when making purchases is equally important, he stated.
