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Homeland Security Seizes $47M Counterfeit Goods in Baltimore Raid

In a significant enforcement action at the Patapsco Flea Market in Baltimore, special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations seized over $47 million worth of counterfeit merchandise. The operation, executed on April 22, resulted in the agency’s largest counterfeit seizure at a flea market.

The enforcement action was the culmination of a two and a half year long investigation by HSI Baltimore into violations of intellectual property rights law. Special agents, with support from law enforcement and industry partners, confiscated nearly 220,000 counterfeit items ranging from clothing and accessories to electronics and personal care products. The total estimated value of the seized goods, if authentic, would be approximately $47.3 million.

The investigation uncovered vendors selling counterfeit products bearing renowned brand names like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Nike, and Apple, among others. The operation also led to the seizure of around $1.5 million in suspected criminal proceeds. William Winter, special agent in charge for HSI Baltimore, emphasized the detrimental impact of counterfeit goods on the economy, jobs, innovation, public health, safety, and national security.

Law enforcement agencies such as the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department, along with industry partners like Under Armour and Estee Lauder, collaborated in the operation. Blazer Investigations, representing trademarked brands, assisted in identifying counterfeit goods. HSI, as the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, plays a crucial role in combatting criminal organizations involved in counterfeit production and distribution.

Operations like the one at Patapsco Flea Market are coordinated through the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), a key player in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center, comprising 20 member agencies, works to protect public health, safety, the economy, and national security by sharing information, coordinating enforcement actions, and conducting investigations related to intellectual property theft.

The seizure at Patapsco Flea Market underscores the ongoing battle against counterfeit goods and the commitment of law enforcement to safeguarding consumers and legitimate businesses. By targeting criminal organizations behind counterfeit activities, HSI aims to not only remove fake products from circulation but also disrupt the illicit networks that profit from such illegal trade.

Consumers are urged to be cautious when purchasing goods to avoid inadvertently supporting criminal activities and to report any suspicions of intellectual property theft. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, industry partners, and the public are essential in upholding intellectual property rights, promoting fair trade practices, and protecting consumers from the risks associated with counterfeit products.

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