A recent
raid in Los Angeles this month by the L.A. Port Police led to a
seizure of over $10 million in Apple Inc. products. Through deep investigation,
authorities unveiled the sophisticated warehouse operation. Chief
of the L.A. Port Police force told the Los Angeles Times this week, "This
was a well-funded operation, and the counterfeits looked very authentic.” The
goods were shipped from Asia and arrived to the United States in parts then
assembled here and labeled appropriately.
(Image taken from LA Times article)
The Los Angeles Times stated that the Port of Los Angeles
and the neighboring Port of Long Beach make up the nation's busiest harbor for
trade with Asia. This is where law enforcement works the hardest to stop
counterfeits from entering the country. This particular investigation not only
involved L.A. Port Police, but the Department of Homeland Security and Border
Enforcement Security Task Force as well. We have said many times that
counterfeiters are getting smarter at their criminal business. It is taking
multiple government agencies to crack down on more sophisticated, well thought
out operations such as this one.