A joint effort by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led to the seizure earlier this month at the Port of Entry in Nogales of $10.4 million in counterfeit clothing involving some of the fashion world’s biggest names.
The Aug. 6 seizure by the HSI Nogales Task Force involved 6,628 pieces of apparel, including more than 1,000 fake Gucci tops and 634 fake Louis Vuitton tops. There were also nearly 1,500 Chanel dresses and 1,152 tops; the counterfeit Chanel clothing had a retail value of nearly $8.5 million, according to HSI.
Other companies targeted by the counterfeiters were Burberry, Dior, and Disney.
One of HSI’s responsibilities is to investigate cross-border violations of Intellectual Property Rights and Commercial Fraud, including protected trademarks. According to an HSI news release, the Nogales Trade Enforcement Coordination Center initiated an operation in April to target trade exports from China, Panama, and Vietnam.
Just three months later, a shipment from China was referred for inspection by CBP at the Mariposa POE in Nogales.
“This significant seizure is attributable to the dedicated work of our law enforcement professionals who worked together and interdicted a large quantity of counterfeit goods at the border,” according to Scott Brown, HSI Phoenix special agent in charge. “Together with our Nogales Trade Enforcement Coordination Center law enforcement partners, HSI will continue to engage in an unrelenting pursuit of individuals who attempt to profit from the illegal trafficking of counterfeit products.”
For now the clothing items are being stored as evidence while the U.S Attorney’s Office reviews the case for possible federal charges. The counterfeits will be destroyed, normally by burning, once any prosecutions are concluded.
HSI is a part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and serves as the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
