TORONTO: Toronto police say the purchasing of fake goods is having ripple effects across the globe and the problem can only be addressed through law enforcement.
At a news conference Tuesday, authorities said a series of investigations and criminal code search warrants during an 18-month period led to the confiscation of $12 million worth of counterfeit items.
Some of the fake items include Toronto Blue Jays post-season tickets and fake sports jerseys. Other illegitimate products include knock-offs of Coach, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Kate Spade, Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors and Ugg.
Police said in Montreal, Beats by Dre sold on the Groupon website ended up being counterfeit after a series of complaints went to Apple — the maker of the popular headphones. They were also sold in the Toronto area and police noted 1,500 headphones were seized.
“Public bulletins, documents and literature by national and international law enforcement groups indicate that the sales of counterfeit goods financially supports organized crime and terrorist groups,” Acting Staff Supt. Bryce Evans told reporters.
There were even examples of groups putting fake CSA stickers on ovens, which could lead to catastrophic and unsafe results, Evans said.
Lawyer and counterfeit expert Lorne Lipkus said honest stores “can’t compete” with businesses involved in these illegal operations.
“When you see the results of raids … it really makes you sick,” the lawyer said, adding the money is going to groups that do not believe in Canadian values.
Lipkus said if you are purchasing fake goods, “you’re supporting people who like to keep young children out of school … you’re supporting slave labour.”
The counterfeit expert praised Toronto police for taking the lead in this matter across the country.
“The only way to stop them is through the intervention of the police,” Lipkus said.
In 2013, a street value of $6.5 million was seized and in 2012, the figure was higher than $3 million.
Police added that the second installment of Project Pace has allowed them to work with other law enforcement agencies, private entities and intellectual property rights owners to combat this problem.
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