U.S. & Mexico Seize over $80M in Counterfeits in Holiday Operation
On December 22, 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the seizure of more than 327,000 counterfeit items with a manufacturer's suggested retail price worth an estimated $76.8 million as part of its "Operation Holiday Hoax II."
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(This is the second iteration of Operation Holiday Hoax. The first netted more than $26 million worth of counterfeit goods when it was conducted in December 2009.)
Operation Targeted Counterfeits in U.S., Korea, and Mexico
The six-week Operation was led by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and its partners, which include U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Government of Mexico, and state and local law enforcement.
They worked with trademark holders to target stores, flea markets and swap meets involved in the importation, distribution and selling of counterfeit and pirated products in 66 cities across the U.S.; in Seoul, South Korea; and in 55 Mexican cities.
U.S. Seized Counterfeit Toys, Cell Phones, Handbags, Computer Software, Etc.
Between November 1 and December 16, 2011, ICE special agents and law enforcement officers seized counterfeit products in the U.S., including toys, cell phones and chargers, handbags, DVDs, perfume, integrated circuits, wallets, computer software, and sports jerseys. Thirty-three people were arrested and charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Mexico Seized 23.8 Million Pieces of Counterfeit Cigarettes, Clothing, DVDs, Etc.
As part of this operation, Mexico carried out its operations between November 1 and December 9, conducting 845 inspections at main ports of entry, executing 160 search warrants in Mexico, and seizing 23.8 million pieces of counterfeit items, including cigarettes, tools, DVDs, toys, electronics, cell phone accessories and 10 tons of clothing that were illegally introduced into Mexico. The estimated value of these seized items is $7.1 million. No arrests were made in connection with Mexico's portion of the operation.