Cisco Systems, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, has conducted its biggest anti-counterfeiting raid in Guangdong, seizing products worth more than US$20 million.
About 100 officers from the Public Security Bureau's economic crime unit, working with Hong Kong-based private investigators employed by Cisco, raided factories in 14 locations including two manufacturing bases in Shenzhen and Dongguan on Wednesday.
The raids, after three months of surveillance, netted mainly counterfeit Cisco routers, but also included user manuals, catalogues, packaging and labelling materials.
At least 20 people were arrested.
'The raids are still going on,' said a spokesman for Cisco's investigator. 'Our conservative estimation involves goods worth US$20 million but it will probably turn out to be more than that.'
He said the syndicate had earned possibly US$4 million over the past year from selling pirated Cisco products.
