Customs says raids were not an act of “repression”

Hong Kong Customs says it’s seized a batch of 14 brands of shower gel, detergents and bleaches from a chain retailer – and insisted that the action was not an attempt to “repress” the store.

Customs did not name the chain involved but the retailer AbouThai said its premises had been raided by 100 Customs officers on Thursday.

Customs said the products did not carry the required bilingual warnings on safe use, consumption and disposal, a suspected contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation.

It said the investigation was continuing and more arrests were possible.

“Customs strongly condemns any false accusation maliciously alleging that its law enforcement action against the trader is ‘repression’,” it said in a statement.

It said it would release more details of the case on Friday.

“Customs will take all necessary action, under which decisive law enforcement action will be taken if any suspected violation is found.”

In a post on social media, AbouThai said it was surprised by the actions, which involved the seizure of goods worth almost HK$1 million. It said similar problems with labelling in the past had been settled by warnings or prosecutions, rather than raids.

It apologised for negligence in labelling.

The chain was founded by Mike Lam, who was released on bail last month after being charged with subversion under the national security law.

He is one of 47 pan-democrats accused over their role in an unofficial primary poll to choose candidates for the now-postponed Legco election.