The fight against counterfeit goods is an ongoing battle worldwide and as part of that battle agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's have seized almost $900,000 worth of counterfeit goods being sold at a flea market in El Paso, Texas.
Operations were held last weekend and the seizure of goods was part of the HSI's Commercial Fraud Group, the Southwest Border Financial Operations, and Currency United Strike Force (FOCUS), work to hold the people who sell counterfeit goods accountable.
Special agents from HSI had a huge task on their hands to count the total of the seized goods which included nearly 9,000 DVDs, more than 10,000 CDs,nearly 2,000 handbags, NFL merchandise items and other sporting goods. There were 21,308 separate items in total with an MSRP of $899,074.63.
Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission were also involved in the operation along with the El Paso's Sheriff's Department; representatives of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) assisted in the operation.
Dennis A. Ulrich, special agent in charge for HSI El Paso, said:
"Counterfeiting is a significant problem that affects our economy, impacts American jobs, and puts the public's health and safety at risk."
"Consumers who buy pirated products may also be funding criminal organizations with their purchases."
This latest operation is just one of many carried out in the United States and the trade in counterfeit goods continues to rise worldwide.
Operations were held last weekend and the seizure of goods was part of the HSI's Commercial Fraud Group, the Southwest Border Financial Operations, and Currency United Strike Force (FOCUS), work to hold the people who sell counterfeit goods accountable.
Special agents from HSI had a huge task on their hands to count the total of the seized goods which included nearly 9,000 DVDs, more than 10,000 CDs,nearly 2,000 handbags, NFL merchandise items and other sporting goods. There were 21,308 separate items in total with an MSRP of $899,074.63.
Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission were also involved in the operation along with the El Paso's Sheriff's Department; representatives of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) assisted in the operation.
Dennis A. Ulrich, special agent in charge for HSI El Paso, said:
"Counterfeiting is a significant problem that affects our economy, impacts American jobs, and puts the public's health and safety at risk."
"Consumers who buy pirated products may also be funding criminal organizations with their purchases."
This latest operation is just one of many carried out in the United States and the trade in counterfeit goods continues to rise worldwide.
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