Nearly $54 Million In Counterfeit Designer Goods Seized At Port

Los Angeles CA

26 August, 2021

6:33 PM

Description

LOS ANGELES, CA — U.S. Customs agents intercepted two cargo ships laden with nearly $54 million in counterfeit products at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, authorities announced Thursday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 39,000 counterfeit designer products in two cargo shipments on July 19 and on July 30 authorities said Thursday. The crackdown targeted "independent smuggling attempts," said Jaime Ruiz of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Among the counterfeit products were sandals, handbags, sneakers, hats, wallets, backpacks, mobile phone cases and belts bearing numerous registered and recorded trademarks such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Yeezy, Versace, Fendi, Balenciaga, Burberry, Chrome Hearts, Nike, Air Jordan, and Ferragamo. Counterfeit designer goods seized by U.S. Customs. (Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection)Counterfeit designer goods seized by U.S. Customs. (Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection)The merchandise could have fetched roughly $53,745,802 if it had been allowed to flood the market, according to Ruiz. "The size of these fraudulent shipments clearly demonstrates the greed and risks transnational criminal organizations are willing to take in order to increase their illicit profits," said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. Traditionally sold on the black-market via illegitimate websites and in underground outlets, smugglers have found a haven during the rise of e-commerce, allowing them to hide behind seemingly legitimate listings, Ruiz said. The sale of counterfeit commodities multiplies the illegal profits of smugglers and traffickers who reinvest the proceeds from such sales into further criminal enterprises, Ruiz said. "Illicit goods trafficked to American consumers by e-commerce platforms and online third-party marketplaces threaten public health and safety, as well as national security," said Donald R. Kusser, Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport Port Director. City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.