Current:Home > StocksNew York authorities make 'largest-ever seizure' of counterfeit goods worth more than $1B -Visionary Wealth Guides
New York authorities make 'largest-ever seizure' of counterfeit goods worth more than $1B
Algosensey View
Date:2025-04-07 13:39:46
Two people have been arrested after raids on storage facilities in New York City uncovered hordes of counterfeit goods and other luxury products with an estimated retail value of more than a billion dollars, according to federal authorities.
Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, were arrested Wednesday morning and were each charged with trafficking counterfeit goods, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release. The two men are accused of running counterfeit goods trafficking operations since at least January.
“As alleged, the defendants used a Manhattan storage facility as a distribution center for massive amounts of knock-off designer goods," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement Wednesday. "The seizures announced today consist of merchandise with over a billion dollars in estimated retail value, the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history."
Sow and Jalloh could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to authorities. Photographs released by prosecutors showed countless of boxes stacked in one location, and numerous wallets and handbags stacked or hanging from hooks from the floor to the ceiling at other storage units.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams raid:FBI raid home of Mayor Eric Adams' top fundraiser for reasons still unknown
About 219,000 counterfeit items seized
From at least January to Oct. 20, Sow and Jalloh allegedly ran "large-scale" counterfeit goods trafficking operations out of a storage facility in Manhattan, according to indictments. Jalloh is also accused of distributing counterfeit goods out of an offsite location in Manhattan.
About 219,000 counterfeit bags, clothes, shoes, and other luxury merchandise at these storage facilities were seized by authorities, the attorney’s office said.
Searches of premises controlled by Sow revealed over 83,000 counterfeit items with an estimated retail price of over $502 million. And over 50,000 counterfeit items found at premises controlled by Jalloh were estimated at over $237 million.
The prices were based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the real versions of the seized counterfeit merchandise. Federal authorities said the actual street value of the items seized is likely under $1 billion.
'A bunch of hicks':Police chief suspended after controversial raid on Kansas newspaper
Counterfeit luxury goods in the United States
Counterfeit luxury goods have long been a staple of the underground shopping experience and now, the online shopping experience.
In recent decades, law enforcement officials and investigators that work with luxury brands have aggressively cracked down on counterfeit operations. Authorities have targeted retailers, importers and distribution centers.
In New York City, the famous Canal Street has attracted shoppers who seek inexpensive knockoffs — which can cost hundreds or thousands less — that look identical to popular or designer merchandise. But New York police have conducted massive busts of vendors and hundreds of counterfeit items worth millions have been confiscated in recent months.
"The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers," New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban said in a statement Wednesday.
With the rise of online shopping, federal authorities have also warned that counterfeit goods trafficked to American consumers through e-commerce platforms and online third-party marketplaces threaten public health and safety.
"Counterfeit versions of popular brands are regularly sold in online marketplaces and flea markets," according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Not only are counterfeit goods produced in unregulated and potentially exploitative environments in foreign countries, but the profits from their sales provide a funding stream to organized crime."
According to CBP data, handbags, wallets, apparel, jewelry and consumer electronics are at a higher risk of being counterfeited. During the 2022 fiscal year, CBP seized over 24.5 million shipments of counterfeit and pirated goods nationwide.
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (7)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- The Best Spring Jackets That Are Comfy, Cute, and Literally Go With Everything
- Jersey Shore's Pauly D Shares Rare Update on Life With 10-Year-Old Daughter Amabella
- A Facebook user roasted the popular kids book 'Love You Forever.' The internet is divided
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Nearly 50 years later, Asian American and Pacific Islander month features revelry and racial justice
- Montana man gets 2 1/2 years in prison for leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Jon Tester
- Man snags $14,000 Cartier earrings for under $14 due to price error, jeweler honors price
- Small twin
- News organizations have trust issues as they gear up to cover another election, a poll finds
Ranking
- Small twin
- She had Parkinson's and didn't want to live. Then she got this surgery.
- She had Parkinson's and didn't want to live. Then she got this surgery.
- 'An Officer and a Gentleman' actor Louis Gossett Jr.'s cause of death revealed
- Average rate on 30
- Student protests take over some campuses. At others, attention is elsewhere
- Wisconsin school district says person it called active shooter ‘neutralized’ outside middle school
- Astros send former MVP José Abreu down to minor leagues to work on swing amid slump
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
House to vote on expanded definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests
Southern Charm's Madison LeCroy Says This Brightening Eye Cream Is So Good You Can Skip Concealer
What time is the Kentucky Derby? Everything you need to know about this year's race
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
'Welcome to Wrexham' Season 3: Release date, where to watch Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's docuseries
Yankees' Juan Soto stares down Orioles pitcher after monstrous home run
'Dad' of Wally, the missing emotional support alligator, makes tearful plea for his return