Pacific Mall combed in counterfeiting probe

Goods such as clothing and cash seized as police execute search warrants

Police say they have seized thousands of suspected counterfeit goods from the Pacific Mall in Markham.

York Regional Police say they carried out seven search warrants at the mall on Wednesday. They also searched a residence belonging to the owner of one of the mall’s kiosks.

Police say officers seized items that include clothing, handbags and cellphone accessories, as well as cash.

No charges have been laid, but police say the investigation continues and more search warrants will be carried out at related warehouses.

They say retailers could face charges under the Copyright Act, which bring fines of up to a million dollars and up to five years in prison.

In a statement, mall management said they, and most of the 731 unit holders in the facility take compliance with laws that govern the sale of goods very seriously and will continue to adopt practices to discourage such behaviour in the future.

A U.S. government report in January said the mall was one of the world’s top retail sources of imitation goods. In response, mall management wrote store owners to warn them to stop the sale of counterfeit products and has joined manufacturers to assist in identifying imitation products.

Police say more search warrants will be carried out at related warehouses