From the New York Post
‘$200M KNOCKOFF’ BUSTS
By KATI CORNELL
December 6, 2007 — At the height of the holiday shopping season, the feds busted 10 members of an international smuggling ring trying to sneak more than $200 million in designer knockoffs into the city from China, officials said yesterday.
Prosecutors said the ring paid $500,000 in bribes to an undercover agent, believing they were dealing with a corrupt union official who could help get the shipments past security.
The ring shipped at least 100 cargo containers stuffed with fake Chanel and Coach bags, Nike sneakers and designer jeans - in some cases labeling the boxes as “noodles” - from ports in China to New Jersey, the feds allege.
Announcing the arrests yesterday, US Attorney Michael Garcia called the yearlong investigation by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement “one of the largest counterfeit smuggling cases ever brought in United States history.”
“It is always deeply troubling when a criminal enterprise seeks to circumvent our port security, whatever the form of contraband and wherever the point of entry,” Garcia said.
WOOO kick ass!
I would really like to know what stores this stuff was distributed to! EEk!
Honestforum: 1
Counterfeiters: 0