U.S. Customs officials confirm that fake Super Bowl Jerseys were among $3.4 million in counterfeit goods seized at two hubs in Ohio.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Tuesday the jerseys and other items were seized over the past nine days at the DHL hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the UPS hub at Louisville International Airport.
A Customs spokeswoman said "most of the items were jerseys but the fake goods included other clothing and consumer electronics."
She went on to say "Officers seized about 22,600 items with an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $2.9 million at the DHL hub. That's what the goods would have cost if they'd been genuine. About 37,900 items valued at about $510,000 were confiscated at the UPS hub."
Over this past NFL season government agencies seized $13.6 million in counterfeit NFL merchandise, according to examiner.com.
Customs didn't stop with the seizure, they also, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Mortan shut down more than 300 websites selling counterfeit goods.
"The operation targeted international shipments of jerseys, hats and other souvenirs entering the U.S. for sale by stores, flea markets and street vendors," said Morton, according to Dayton Daily News.
This is sure to put a dent in counterfeiters'' profit numbers, but these criminals won't give up easily as this isn't the first time agents seized counterfeit products.
"This is the fifth consecutive year that federal authorities have launched a similar operation to crack down on the sale of counterfeit sports goods. Roughly $5.1 million in goods were seized during the previous one, Morton said, according to Dayton Daily News.
"This is the largest number we've ever seized," Morton said as reported by Dayton Daily News.
.The shipment and issue of counterfeiting could get even worse if the rumor that the Mexican drug cartels have joined in on the action.
"Evidence has cropped up that even the Mexican drug cartels are getting involved in the counterfeit NFL black market trade because they can make quick money by selling fake jerseys in flea markets and parking lots, said Kevin Abar, assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Mexico, stated by Associated Press.
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