• Community Events
  • Home
  • Employment
  • Local
    • Central San Diego
    • North County
    • East County
    • South Bay
    • Northeastern
    • Riverside County
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • Television
    • Art
    • Theater
    • Film
    • Events
    • Theme Parks
    • Podcast/Radio
    • Museums
    • Books
  • Business
  • National
  • Politics
  • Science & Technology
    • Computer
    • Science
    • Space
  • Sports
  • Environment
    • Clean Air
    • Climate change
    • Land
    • Ocean
    • Pollution
    • Recycling
  • Health
    • Health Business
    • Health Education
    • Medical
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Senior Life
    • Society

San Diego County News

Independent publication serving San Diego County

Los Angeles, Long Beach Seaport reports a record-breaking year for seizures of counterfeit merchandise

November 15, 2021 By sdcnews

A Customs and Border Protection officer inspects a high-value brand name designer counterfeit handbag. Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Los Angeles, CA–From October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Los Angeles and Long Beach Seaport identified and seized an unprecedented amount of high-value contraband, counterfeit goods, and other prohibited merchandise.

The number of trade enforcement seizures increased by 24% and the overall value of these seizures increased by 652% over the previous year. Officers interdicted counterfeit products that pose a significant risk to public safety such as counterfeit pharmaceuticals and other items such as electronics, high fashion wearing apparel, footwear, jewelry, and accessories. The record-breaking seizures were appraised at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $760,615,994, a 652% increase from the year before.

In addition, officers partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to seize 37 illegally imported pill press machines and 2,305 capsule-filling machines that can be used by drug traffickers to encapsulate narcotics in clandestine labs. The seizure of these machines eliminated the ability of counterfeiters to produce illegally manufactured pharmaceuticals in excess of 1,000,000 capsules per hour. 

“The numbers show that the pandemic didn’t slow down smugglers from attempting to illegally introduce their products into the United States threatening the economy and the health and safety of the American consumer,” said Carlos Martel Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “These results reinforce CBP’s commitment to be America’s frontline.”

“CBP officers worked tirelessly throughout the year and were highly successful at stopping transnational criminal organizations from exploiting and endangering consumers,” said Donald Kusser, Customs and Border Protection Port Director of the LA/Long Beach Seaport.

Consumers can take simple steps to protect themselves and their families from counterfeit goods by purchasing goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers. When shopping online, consumers should read seller reviews and check for a working U.S. phone number and address that can be used to contact the seller.

Federal authorities say trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovative economy, the competitiveness of businesses, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers.

To deter the importation of illicit goods and protect U.S. consumers and businesses, Customs and Border Protection has developed a proactive and strategic enforcement approach to Intellectual Property Right enforcement.

For more information about the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit goods, visit  Customs and Border Protection’s Fake Goods, Real Dangers website, and read the agency’s e-Commerce Awareness Guide. Additional tips on counterfeit goods are available at StopFakes.gov.

40

SHARES
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Follow us

Comments

comments

Filed Under: National Tagged With: National


Support Independent Journalism



Trending

  • Two men found shot to death in Valley Center home
  • EDD recovers $1.1 billion in unemployment insurance funds
  • Family Justice Center to open new facility to support crime victims, reduce domestic violence homicides
  • Carlsbad voters to decide on spending for Monroe Street Pool improvements
  • Microbusinesses have extra time to apply for a $2500 grant

Advertisement

Good Sam Travel Assist

Advertisement

Start LLC today at incorporate.com

Education

UC San Diego Extended Studies identifies top 10 jobs post COVID-19 pandemic

San … [Read More...]

Environment

Oceanside enacts Level 2 Drought Reduction actions for residents and businesses

By … [Read More...]

Science & Technology

A quarter of the world’s internet users rely on infrastructure at high risk of attack

By … [Read More...]

Advertisement

Independence Day Savings! Save up to $25◊ off our Fees on Flights Use Coupon USA25.

Advertisement

Stacy Adams

Advertisement

Summer Membership offer

Advertisement

Naturepedic

Categories

  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Community Events
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Private Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow @SanCounty

Privacy Policy

Terms of service

Copyright © 2022 San Diego County News