Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
Kentucky | New Jersey | New York | Ohio
Kentucky
August 17, 2022 – U.S. CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officers based in Louisville seized what was believed to be counterfeit jewelry, coming from regions of the world that are known to manufacture fake merchandise. This shipment of various pairs of counterfeit earrings, if genuine, would have had a value totaling more than $3.5 million. Upon inspecting the shipment, CBP officers found thousands of pairs of fake diamond earrings: 1,716 pairs of Chanel, 1,680 pairs of Gucci and 1,284 pairs of Louis Vuitton. They also found 300 pairs of Yves Saint Laurent hoop earrings, 200 pairs of Louis Vuitton hoop earrings and 190 pairs of Chanel hoop earrings—all counterfeit. The earrings originated from Hong Kong.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release – August 23, 2022
New Jersey
August 23, 2022 – Police have arrested and charged a South Toms River man with possession of an illegal weapon and counterfeiting. He was selling fake products from name brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Polo, Versace, North Face, Nike, Coach and Fendi, from a storefront on Dover Road. The charges follow an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, with help from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and South Toms River Police Department. On August 23, authorities served the business with a search warrant, authorized by the court, and during the search, the detectives seized more than 600 counterfeit products, in addition to a high-speed folding knife and pellet handgun. The man was arrested at the location and was served with charges. An upcoming Ocean County Superior Court appearance is pending.
Shore News Network – Charlie Dwyer – August 26, 2022
New York
August 12, 2022 – The New York Police Department (NYPD) seized counterfeit goods worth two million dollars from a Canal Street location during an operation in Lower Manhattan, arresting five individuals. NYPD officers seized fake watches, sneakers, bags and sunglasses and warned New Yorkers on Twitter that they would continue to patrol the city and enforce anti-piracy laws, arresting counterfeiters and confiscating their wares.
Ohio
August 10, 2022 – In Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted three shipments of counterfeit jewelry and watches that, if genuine, were worth almost $7 million. The illegal cargo arrived from Hong Kong and consisted of more than 800 counterfeit Cartier bracelets and 13 fake Rolex watches. The bracelets were headed to a private Virginia residence and the watches were addressed to a Texas business. According to the CBP, consumers in the U.S. spend more than $100 billion annually on counterfeit products that infringe upon intellectual property rights. The rapid rise of e-commerce is said to contribute to the substantial increase in pirated merchandise. CBP officers are tasked with the job of keeping unsafe pirated goods from causing harm to Americans and protecting consumers, U.S. jobs and the economy.