Feb. 6 (UPI) — Customs and Border Protection agents seized $27 million worth of counterfeit jewelry in Louisville, Ky., during the month of January, the agency announced Thursday.
Agents seized 28 shipments of counterfeit designer jewelry during the month that would be worth more than $975,000 if it were real, the agency said in a press release. The items — counterfeit designer watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings — were mostly from Hong Kong and China, the agency said, and were headed to different parts of the United States.
“Counterfeit goods are poor quality products that cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year while robbing our country of jobs and tax revenues,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, the agency’s director, field operations for the Chicago Field Office, said.
The Louisville seizure is the latest in a series of similar busts CBP has made recently.
The agency seized $30 million worth of fake Tiffany jewelry in New York City between December 2024 and the first part of January.
The necklaces seized in that bust appeared to be high quality jewelry but contained fake Tiffany & Company labeling designed to increase their value, the CBP said.
“CBP continues to play a crucial role in protecting the consumer and businesses from the importation of fraudulent merchandise,” said Champlain Port Director Steve Bronson after the New York seizures.
On January 29th, the agency announced that it seized $5 million worth of counterfeit goods in Indiana, and warned U.S. consumers to be aware of fake jewelry as Valentine’s Day approaches.
The agency also announced the seizure of $40 million in counterfeit merchandise related to the Super Bowl, scheduled to be played Sunday in New Orleans. Officials warned consumers to be wary of fake items, but said to be especially careful to be sure tickets to the game are authentic.