07.02.12
SWEETWATER, Fla. (WSVN) -- Federal agents have confiscated hundreds of pieces of copy merchandise, in an operation aimed at getting phony name-brand items off South Florida's streets.
U.S. Subdivision of Homeland Security agents were alerted to the spread of stolen goods throughout South Florida flea markets. Since last week, agents have confiscated approaching $250,000 in fake merchandise from local flea markets, including phony G-Jolt watches, Fendi shoes, Oakley sunglasses, Louis Vuitton handbags, and even Miami Dolphins jerseys. "You look at the front of [the jersey], it's got the NFL logo, it's got the Dolphins logo, it's got the sportswoman's name, but when you turn it inside out, you don't find this on a real NFL jersey," said Immigration & Customs Enforcement Visible Information Officer Nestor Yglesias.
According to ICE agents, smugglers accomplish in stolen items and sell them off as brand-name, high-end items for low prices. "The people that act as if get by bootleg [items] are not looking to maintain the reputations the trademark holders are looking to perpetuate," said said Agent Carmen Pino of the ICE. "A lot of people say, 'Well, this isn't that bad. It's neutral a counterfeit purse, it's just a counterfeit watch. It's categorically not that big of an issue, it's really not hurting anybody.' Well, we're here to say that it does.
Source: 7Online WSVN-TV