New York raids net largest ever counterfeit haul
Federal authorities have seized around 219,000 counterfeit luxury items from Manhattan storage facilities in recent raids, according to The Associated Press.
The fakes, including handbags and shoes, could have been worth over $1 billion if they were real.
Prosecutors released photos of shelves stacked with counterfeit goods, including handbags and wallets, leading to the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history. Two men have been charged with distributing counterfeit goods since January and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Over the past few decades, law enforcement officials and investigators from luxury brands have become more proactive in targeting both the retailers who sell counterfeit products and also the importers and distribution centres that are involved in the process to combat the issue of counterfeit products.
Image – United States Attorney’s office
