CBP Takes on Counterfeit Imports at LAX

Federal authorities at a Los Angeles International Airport express cargo consignment facility interdicted more than a hundred shipments containing suspected counterfeit goods in stepped-up enforcement actions as part of Operation Holiday Hoax, an international effort targeting the importation and distribution of counterfeit and pirated products, said CBP in a press release.

The enforcement surge, conducted by officers and import specialists from CBP and ICE, resulted in the interdiction of a wide variety of suspected counterfeit merchandise, including headphones, sports jerseys and cell phone accessories, said CBP. Once it is determined that the items are counterfeit, CBP will seize the merchandise, the agency said. Many of the intercepted items were likely destined for unscrupulous vendors for intended resale, said CBP. ICE will be conducting follow-up investigations to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute those cases.