Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Houston Police Department conducted an operation on April 2 targeting a business in southwest Houston suspected of selling counterfeit sports merchandise. The agencies seized more than 12,000 suspected counterfeit items with an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1.95 million.
The operation is part of "Operation Team Player," a nationwide effort involving multiple agencies to identify and stop the sale of counterfeit goods through international shipments, online marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, markets, and other retail outlets. The initiative includes cooperation with the Intellectual Property Rights Center (IPR Center), state and local authorities, as well as major sports leagues.
According to officials, last year’s nationwide crackdown led to the seizure of over 276,000 counterfeit sports items valued at $33.4 million MSRP.
"There’s a common misconception that counterfeiting only impacts large corporations, but in reality the impacts are far-reaching and often have the most immediate impact on small businesses that purchase expensive vendors’ licenses to sell authentic merchandise and can’t afford to lose revenue to counterfeiters who can easily undercut their prices," said HSI Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Burke. "Counterfeiting also impacts trademark holders who spend time, money and resources developing their brand, and consumers who are duped out of their hard-earned money falsely believing they’re receiving genuine merchandise, but instead receive substandard items made of cheap materials."
CBP Houston Director of Field Operations Jud Murdock said: "Trade in counterfeit consumer goods is illegal. It threatens the health and safety of American consumers, steals revenues from trademark holders and tax revenues from the government, and it funds transnational criminal organizations. Counterfeit consumer goods may also be sourced or manufactured in facilities that employ forced labor. CBP and our law enforcement partners are committed to facilitating the smooth movement of legitimate goods while safeguarding the nation’s economic and national security."
Officials advise consumers to buy tickets only through authorized brokers; shop at authorized retailers; avoid apparel with poor stitching or irregular markings; check for official labels; monitor bank statements for discrepancies; keep records of purchases; report any issues immediately; and be wary if deals seem too good to be true.
The IPR Center’s “True Fans Keep It Real” campaign aims to educate fans about risks associated with counterfeit goods by providing resources for smart shopping both online and offline.
