see also: in June 2008:   CBP in New Orleans Offers Tips for International Air Travelers for Summer Season   CBP Offers Tips for International Air Travelers in Memphis for Summer Season   U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Host San Diego Hiring Event   Baltimore CBP Recovers Stolen Vehicle Being Shipped Overseas   Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine, Methamphetamines and Marijuana   Canada, U.S. Sign Arrangement to Align Security Standards for Cross-Border Business   CBP, Texas Strengthen Partnership to Ensure Border Security ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Los Angeles — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports seized over $4.8 million worth of counterfeit merchandise in the month of May. The items included handbags, shoes, toys, DVD movies, sunglasses, wearing apparel and many other fake goods. Phony athletic footwear was the number one item last month with an estimated domestic value of over $2.2 million.

CBP officers and import specialists are aggressively working together to intercept shipments containing counterfeit and pirated items. "CBP is charged with enforcing trade laws and we continue to devote substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of goods that violate these laws," said Kevin W. Weeks, CBP director of Field Operations, Los Angeles.

As CBP develops more innovative methods to identify high-risk shipments, the smugglers also develop new schemes. Many of these shipments were shipped by unknown importers, manifested as other products or hidden in between legitimate goods. "We will continue to develop new approaches to combat intellectual property rights violators," added Weeks. Importation of counterfeit commodities is illegal and importers may face civil penalties and criminal charges.

Once federal forfeiture procedures are completed, seized items are either donated to charity, with the trademark owner’s approval, or destroyed. In the past, CBP has donated thousands of pairs of shoes and clothing to charitable organizations or to relief efforts. Products that threaten the health and safety of American consumers are destroyed.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.