Chinese nationals nabbed for selling fake designer goods

The street value of the haul was estimated at 300,000 Singapore dollars (197,000 US dollars).

During a 13-hour sting operation, police picked up the five suspects, aged between 31 and 51, The Straits Times said. All are believed to be part of a syndicate and distributing operation that hawks counterfeit luxury and sportswear products.

The raids netted more than 8,600 trademark-infringing items, including leather bags and wallets.

"Police will not tolerate such blatant disrespect of the intellectual-property rights law and will ... take swift and stern action to eradicate piracy syndicates," Sharmaine Ong, head of the intellectual property rights branch, was quoted as saying.

The three foreigners - Xiao Saiyuan, 31, and two female compatriots, Lin Shaoying, 30, and Chen Yugin, 37, were charged Friday in court with immigration offences. The two Singaporeans are still being investigated.

Those conviction of possessing, selling or manufacturing counterfeit products face fines of up to 100,000 Singapore dollars (65,789 US dollars) and jail terms of up to five years.// Deutsche Presse Agentur(DPA)