U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati recently seized 85 shipments containing over 4,000 pieces of counterfeit sports merchandise worth more than $1.4 million. It was just part of the $39.5 million worth of counterfeit sports merchandise that authorities seized in the days leading up to Super Bowl LIX.
The fake sports merchandise seized in Cincinnati primarily came from China and Hong Kong, according to a CBP report.
“During the week of January 27, officers inspected packages during an operation focusing on counterfeit sports merchandise and memorabilia such as jerseys, hats, coins, jewelry, footwear, and bags. Among the 85 shipments that were seized, 30 of those held counterfeit NFL, MLB and MLS jerseys with an astounding total value of $232,000, had the goods been genuine,” the report read.
“These packages contained merchandise that infringed on the protected trademarks of professional sports teams such as Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Al-Nassr FC, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners to name a few.”
One of the intercepted shipments contained 156 Baltimore Ravens jerseys enroute to a residence in Jensen Beach, Florida. Another shipment was intercepted that held 80 Las Vegas Raiders memorabilia coins. They were being shipped to a residence at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The Cincinnati CBP officers were able to determine that the Ravens jerseys were counterfeit due to several factors including the routing, the cheap materials that were used, the lack of fine details, and the packaging.
“I’m extremely proud of our officers’ determination in stopping illicit shipments, and our commitment to protecting the American economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operations, Chicago Field Office. “Shipments like these prey on the many sports fans across the nation who may be tricked into paying high prices for these inferior products.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
“CBP promotes fair and compliant trade,” said Cincinnati Port Director Eric Zizelman. “Buying these dupes not only supports criminal organizations but defrauds legitimate American businesses. Our officers here in Cincinnati work 24 hours a day detecting and intercepting threats on American consumers.”