Los Angeles Customs officials seized more than 14,800 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes shipped from China and claimed to be wipes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement Wednesday that the shoes would be worth more than $2 million if they were genuine and sold at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
The fake shoes were various Air Jordans. Customs officials said they include special editions and vintage models that are highly sought after by collectors. The actual shoes sell online for about $1,500.
According to NBC Los Angeles, the fake Nike sneakers have swoosh symbols loosely attached to the sides that appear to be crudely sewn on.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the shoes were packaged in two containers and were discovered by officers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport while inspecting cargo from China. The agency said the counterfeit shoes were discovered recently, but did not specify the date.
“Transnational criminal organizations continue to profit from U.S. intellectual property by selling counterfeit and pirated goods not only in the United States but throughout the world,” Joseph Macias, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles, said in a statement. .
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the busiest and second busiest container seaports in the United States. Both ports are located in the same area in southern Los Angeles County.
Customs and Border Protection says counterfeit designer shoes are a “multi-million dollar criminal industry” that is often used to fund criminal enterprises.
A report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection said footwear ranked second behind apparel and accessories in total product seizures in fiscal year 2018.
Post time: Nov-15-2023