The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently seized more than $1 million in counterfeit consumer products and pharmaceuticals in New Orleans, Louisiana during ‘Operation Safety Claus.’
The operation, aimed at protecting intellectual property rights during the holiday season, was coordinated with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, a Dec. 17 ICE press release said. Items seized included cosmetics, perfumes, watches, clothing and shoes.
“Counterfeit products such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics pose a serious threat to the health and safety of unsuspecting consumers, impacts legitimate trade, and compromises our national security,” HSI New Orleans Deputy Special Agent in Charge Jeb Bison said in the release. “We are committed to working closely with our federal and state partners and private sector stakeholders to keep illegal and dangerous products away from the U.S. public, while disrupting revenue streams that fund transnational criminal organizations.”
The operation began in November with surveillance operations conducted on area businesses, the release said. Authorities identified several businesses engaged in the sale of counterfeit items. In total, the operation seized 59,425 products with an estimated retail value of $1,012,942, according to a report by ABC WGNO.
“As the federal agency responsible for the management, control, and protection of U.S. borders and ports of entry, CBP is on the frontline of Intellectual Property Rights enforcement. Counterfeit and pirated goods harm America’s economy and our business competition, which affects the livelihood of our workers and business owners,” Terri Edwards, area port director of New Orleans, said in the release. “What you may not know, is when you buy counterfeit goods, you’re not only buying a potential health and safety risk, but you may be helping fund larger criminal activity. Buy from legitimate sellers, do your research, and remember: if a deal feels too good to be true, it’s probably fake.”
