$14M In Fake Hermès Handbags Seized At LA Port
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — More than $14 million in fake Hermès handbags have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach.
The 1,500 counterfeit bags arrived from China in two shipments on Feb. 12 and 26, officials said. They were valued at $18, 414.
"Once again, this seizure demonstrates the high level of skill and vigilance of our officers in protecting the intellectual property rights of companies and individuals, as well as, preventing the proliferation of counterfeit luxury handbags, potentially damaging our national economy," said Todd C. Owen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Office Los Angeles.
Approximately $1.26 billion worth of counterfeit goods originating overseas were seized by CBP in 2012. China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Taiwan are the top five countries of origination for counterfeit goods seized by CBP.
The seized handbags will likely be destroyed.
