Witness denies fake Close-up tooth paste was souvenir

Accra, March 19, GNA - A witness in the fake Close-up case on Thursday denied at the Accra Circuit court that the product was a sample that was not for sale.

Mr Cherubim Awagbe, Director of Industry and Market Research System, the organisation that conducts research into counterfeit products emphasised that, the fake green Close-up tooth paste was displayed on the shelves for sale. The case involves two Chinese immigrants charged with being in possession of quantities of fake green Close-up tooth paste products marked with a counterfeit trade mark belonging to Unilever Ghana branch. The two, Tang Wei, a businessman and Chen Chuping, a saleslady, who pleaded not guilty, have been granted bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with one surety each.

Mr Awagbe said in 2006, Unilever Ghana contracted his firm to conduct investigations into one of its products which was being faked on the market. Mr Awagbe explained during cross-examination by Mr Peter Zwennes, defence counsel, that the research took his team to Ghana-China Centre opposite Rawlings Park in Accra where the fake green Close-up tooth paste was being sold.

Led earlier in evidence by the prosecution, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwabena Paul Frimpong, the witness said initially, his team bought only six pieces of the fake product which were sent to Unilever where it was confirmed that it was not the original product of the company.

He said the team went there the next day and ordered 20 cartons of the fake tooth paste but the sales attendant said there were only three cartons at that moment and the company van would bring the rest from the warehouse.

Mr Awagbe said he made an initial deposit of GH¢200.00 and was issued with a VAT receipt which would be used to collect the product later. He explained to the court that his interest was to get to the source of the fake products.

He said his team with the assistance of the Police went to the warehouse where they found large quantities of the fake products and other items, including porcelain tiles and other ceramic products. Mr. Zwennes suggested to the prosecution witness that he never interviewed any persons and that nobody led him to the point of sale. Mr. Awagbe: That's not true.

Mr. Zwennes: Were you given receipts when you bought the six pieces of the products?

Mr. Awagbe: There were no receipts given.

Mr. Zwennes: Your team did not buy it from that point of sale. Mr. Awagbe: They did.

In November 2006, Unilever Ghana said it began seeing green Close-up tooth paste on the market. The company therefore contracted Market Support System to find the source of the counterfeit products. Hearing continues on Friday.