see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   CBP Officers Nab More than $1 Million in Narcotics in 48-hour Period   Philadelphia CBP Seizes $650,000 in Fake Bank Checks   Calexico Downtown Port Officers Intercept $100K Narcotic Smuggling Attempt   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Los Angeles - For the second consecutive week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Los Angeles-Long Beach seaport seized over $1 million worth of counterfeit handbags and footwear. Had the items been legitimate the value would have been over $24 million.

On August 27, CBP officers and import specialists intercepted a shipment manifested as electronic appliances arriving from China. CBP officers examined the container and discovered 59,198 handbags and 17,400 pairs of footwear. A thorough inspection of the items by a CBP import specialist determined the items to be counterfeit. The counterfeits consisted of fake Coach and Fendi handbags and phony Coach footwear.

CBP officers seized the goods for federal violation of merchandise bearing a counterfeit trademark. “Our enforcement actions continue to pay off; we have an ongoing commitment that is focused towards intercepting commodities which violate any laws before they reach the consumer,” said Kevin W. Weeks, director of CBP Los Angeles office of field operations.

The importation of merchandise with counterfeit trademarks is illegal. As of now this merchandise has not been claimed by the importer. Importers violating these laws may be subject to civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution.

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.