Two containers of counterfeit Pods, clothing, jewelry and other merchandise worth an estimated 1.3 million U.S. dollars were seized at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach complex, federal authorities said Thursday.
The shipments were discovered April 8-11, said Cristina Gamez of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Gamez said the paperwork accompanying the containers had indicated that they contained luggage.
Instead, inspectors found hats, shoes, blankets, wallets, iPods, belts, clothing and jewelry with counterfeit trademarks such as Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Baby Phat, Dolce & Gabbana, and TAG Heuer, Gamez said.
"Everything but luggage," Gamez said. "The shipments would havebeen worth more than 38 million dollars had they contained authentic items."
The production and importation of merchandise without the trademark owner's authorization is a violation of intellectual property rights law, Gamez said.
Kevin Weeks, Customs and Border Protection's Director of Los Angeles Field Operations, said his agency's mission includes not only protecting businesses, but protecting the country from terrorists who profit from counterfeiting.
"Some organizations use the proceeds from the sales of counterfeit items to contribute to terrorist activities," Weeks said. "Therefore, we must prevent such shipments from entering the U.S."
Source:Xinhua
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