CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN MATEO : Bogus Name-Brand Watches Seized

Thousands of counterfeit watches, cheap Hong Kong imports that were re-stamped with labels such as Rolex and Gucci, have been seized in San Mateo, federal agents said. The FBI and U.S. Customs Service said David Taiway Hui, 29, was arrested at his San Mateo home on charges of smuggling and trademark counterfeiting. The previous day, 16,000 to 18,000 counterfeit watches were found in a rental self-storage unit, agents said. The watches were imported with genuine labels that were later scraped off and changed, Customs Agent Pat Sheridan said. He said they were to be sold for $50 to $100 apiece. Customers “know right up front that it’s a counterfeit watch” because of the price, Sheridan said. FBI Agent Edward Appel also noted that some of the watches still carried Hong Kong labels.