On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York disclosed the unprecedented seizure of a record-breaking quantity of imitation designer handbags and shoes by federal authorities and the NYPD. Valued at slightly over $1 billion, this operation stands as the largest bust in U.S. history.
The extensive crackdown unfolded within a Manhattan storage facility, resulting in the confiscation of approximately 219,000 counterfeit items, including bags, clothing, shoes, and various other luxury products.
Authorities clarified that the cumulative suggested retail price (MSRP) for the fraudulent merchandise surpasses $1.03 billion. It’s worth noting, however, that the actual street value of these counterfeit goods is typically considerably lower than their MSRP.
Images released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office reveal shelves and floor space crammed with imitation designer bags emulating various brands, accompanied by another section overflowing with additional bags, with garments suspended from pipes.
In a separate photograph, a storage facility is depicted, teeming with numerous unopened boxes stacked on pallets.
The seizures announced today consist of merchandise with over a billion dollars in estimated retail value, the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history,” declared U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. The inquiry was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations.
Adama Sow, 38, from Queens, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, from Manhattan, were apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the operation and have been indicted on charges of trafficking in counterfeit goods, as revealed in an unsealed indictment. They could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Officials reported that the pair utilized the storage facility as a hub for the distribution of the extensive quantities of counterfeit designer products.
Sow and Jalloh are accused of orchestrating an extensive operation involving the trafficking of counterfeit goods, operating out of a storage facility from January 2023 to October 20, as detailed in the indictment and other publicly accessible information.
Additionally, authorities claim that they engaged in the illicit trafficking of counterfeit goods from a separate location in Manhattan.
“The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers,” stated Edward Caban, Commissioner of the NYPD.
“Today’s indictments show how seriously the NYPD and our federal partners take this offense, and we will continue to work hard to hold accountable anyone who seeks to benefit by selling such items on the black market.“
Ivan Arvelo, a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations, reiterated these sentiments and emphasized the importance of consumers understanding the consequences of purchasing such items, especially in anticipation of the holiday season.
“One purse might seem harmless, but the production and sale of imitation products is far from a victimless crime,” Arvelo said. “We will not allow opportunists to convert public warehouses into their own illegal shopping centers, or to wreak havoc on the streets of New York City.”