WASHINGTON: US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers said they’ve seized a record number of shipments containing illegal, phony goods totaling more than $1 billion.
Seizing the items has been a top priority for these federal agencies. They said not only are the producers of the items violating the rights of real companies, but the items themselves are putting you and your families at risk.
“This could potentially burn down your house or your office,” US Customs and Border Protection Officer Ben Wilkerson said.
Across the US in 2016, officers seized goods that, if genuine, would be worth more than $1.38 billion. That number comes from more than 31,000 cases.
Officers arrested 451 people in relation to the crimes.
Fake hoverboards, which pose a serious fire risk, were a huge problem. More than 108,000 were seized last year.
Officers confiscated handbags and wallets that would be worth $234 million, if real.
But the most popular counterfeit goods were watches and jewelry disguised as name brands that would be worth $653 million.
“I am very confident that these are fake,” Officer Candido Higuera said.
Locally, officers told News4Jax that fake YETI Ramblers were huge on the black market, and there’s the possibility the fakes could contain harmful chemicals such as lead.
