see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting outbound operations at the El Paso port of entry seized 2,000 AC/DC power adapters because of an Intellectual Property Rights violation. The significance of the seizure was that the “UL” Underwriters Laboratories markings on the adapters were counterfeit.

The in-bond shipment originating from the Republic of China was targeted for examination at the Ysleta cargo export facility Monday evening. An intensive examination of the merchandise revealed that the items were labeled “Made in China” and did not bear “UL” – authorized control numbers. Through collaboration with the Underwriters Laboratories and CBP it was determined that the labels were counterfeit.

In bond cargo is merchandise that moves under a carriers’ bond when in the U.S. The bonded carrier is responsible for the merchandise while it is in transit through the United States. The carrier is also responsible for reporting to CBP when the merchandise arrives in the U.S. and before it leaves the country.

In recent years counterfeiting, piracy and other Intellectual Property Rights violations has cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars in lost revenue and pose health and safety risks to U.S. consumers.

“Smuggling of counterfeit products is big business,” said Arthur Gonzales, Acting El Paso CBP Port Director. “CBP is the primary agency for U.S. border enforcement and we are committed to stopping these violations”.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

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.