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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Los Angeles - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach recently seized two major shipments of counterfeit merchandise with an estimated domestic value of over $1.3 million. The shipments would have been worth more than $38 million had they contained authentic items.

CBP officers at the Port of Los Angeles intercepted two containers arriving from China which were manifested as luggage. During the actual physical inspection of the shipments, the officers discovered various commodities that appeared to infringe upon several trademarks. Further analysis of the shipments confirmed that the commodities bore counterfeit trademarks. The production and importation of merchandise without the trademark owner’s authorization is a violation of Intellectual Property Rights law.

Kevin W. Weeks, CBP director of Los Angeles Field Operations, said, “CBP officers continue to intercept shipments containing counterfeit commodities due to our aggressive enforcement operations towards Intellectual Property Rights violators. CBP’s priority is the prevention of terrorist and weapons of mass destruction from entering the country.” He added, “Some organizations use the proceeds from the sales of counterfeit items to contribute to terrorist activities; therefore we must prevent such shipments from entering the U.S.”

On April 8 and 11, the shipments were seized and inventoried. The list consisted of hats, shoes, blankets, wallets, iPods, belts, wearing apparel, jewelry, and other objects. The commodities bore fake trademarks such as Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Baby Phat, Dolce & Gabbana, TAG Heuer, and many other famous brands.

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.