Fake Apple Inc. cables confiscated from the suspects' home by Tomakomai Police Station are seen in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, on Oct. 13, 2021. (Mainichi/Kimitaka Hirayama)

       TOMAKOMAI, Hokkaido -- A couple in this north Japan city were arrested on Oct. 13 for allegedly possessing more than 11,000 fake Apple cables bearing the tech company's trademarks with intent to sell them.

       Tomakomai Police Station arrested Emi Saito, 31, and her husband Ryohei, 27, both unemployed, on suspicion of violating the Trademark Act. Police are investigating their actions further to obtain a full picture of the sales.

       The two suspects allegedly violated the trademark right by teaming up to store about 11,800 fake Lightning cables, which are used to charge Apple Inc.'s iPhones, among other uses, at their home in March this year.

       According to the police station, the suspects imported the cables from China for about 100 yen (roughly $0.90) apiece and sold them for some 300 yen (approximately $2.60) each through an online store. They have reportedly denied the allegations, saying that they did not know what they did was illegal.

       (Japanese original by Kimitaka Hirayama, Tomakomai Bureau)

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