29 charged in US in global counterfeit goods ring

Counterfeit coach handbags seized by federal authorities are shown in this undated photo provided by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey. AP

NEWARK, New Jersey—US officials have announced charges against 29 people in what they call a massive international counterfeit goods operation to smuggle $325 million in counterfeit goods from China.

New Jersey’s US attorney, Paul Fishman, reported arrests in New Jersey, Texas, New York and the Philippines, which are ongoing. The arrests were announced Thursday.

Fishman says the arrests are linked to attempts to smuggle $325 million in counterfeit goods from China through the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal.

In addition to trafficking in counterfeit sneakers, boots, handbags and other items, authorities say the two overlapping criminal enterprises also trafficked in counterfeit cigarettes and crystal meth.