Federal agents seize more than 2,000 faux designer bags, other items in Chinatown
CTY COUNTERFEIT- 19 DECEMBER 2012- The U.S. Homeland Security seized approximately 2,000 items worth 1.8 million dollars on Tuesday in Chinatown. The department urged consumers to be aware of counterfeit items during the holiday shopping season. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell
Federal agents seized 2,049 counterfeit designer purses, wallets, sunglasses and other items valued at approximately $1.8 million from a Chinatown retail operation Tuesday.
The haul was the largest seizure of counterfeit merchandise ever in Hawaii, said Wayne K. Wills, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Honolulu office.
“We are still actively engaging in processing of this evidence,” Wills said at a press briefing this afternoon.
No arrests were made but indictments are expected in the coming months.
The items bear the trademarks of more than a dozen designer or well-known brands including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes and Coach. Wills said it is believed the items were imported from either South Korea or China.
Agents acted on information provided by the U.S.Customs and Border Protection, which is also part of Homeland Security, Wills said.
