US Mexico Seize More Than 80 Million During Operation Holiday Hoax

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the seizure of more than 327,000 counterfeit items with a manufacturer's suggested retail price worth an estimated $76.8 million as part of an ICE HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) operation. The center continues to track down those who are selling counterfeit and pirated products this holiday season.


During the six-week operation, coined Operation Holiday Hoax II, the IPR Center and its partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Government of Mexico, along with state and local law enforcement worked with trademark holders to target stores, flea markets and swap meets involved in the importation, distribution and selling of counterfeit and pirated products in 66 cities across the United States; in Seoul, South Korea; and in 55 Mexican cities. Additionally, CBP officers conducted inspections and seized counterfeit merchandise at various U.S. ports of entry, which led to subsequent investigations and enforcement actions by ICE HSI special agents. In each U.S. operation, the trademark holders verified the seized products were counterfeit or pirated.


"Counterfeiting remains a significant problem that demands strong enforcement efforts both here and abroad," said ICE Director John Morton. "This year's success during Operation Holiday Hoax was as a result of the close partnership with the governments of Mexico and South Korea, and I'd like to thank them for their continued assistance in this fight. Together, we've dealt a significant blow to counterfeiters worldwide while making a positive impact on American jobs here at home."


"These actions prevent illegal merchandise from reaching the retail market in Mexico, hence protecting legally established businesses from the underground economy and illegal commerce," said Tax Administration Service of Mexico (SAT) Director Alfredo Gutierrez. "SAT will continue to support joint strategies to leverage our detection capabilities of international criminal networks."


"U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilitates about $2 trillion in legitimate trade annually while enforcing U.S. trade laws that protect the economy, and the health and the safety of the American people," said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. "This important work is accomplished through close partnerships with the trade community, other government agencies and foreign governments."


Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 16, ICE HSI special agents and law enforcement officers seized counterfeit products in the United States, including toys, cell phones and chargers, handbags, DVDs, perfume, integrated circuits, wallets, computer software, and sports jerseys. Thirty-three people were arrested and charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods.


As part of this operation, SAT – assisted by the local and federal police forces and the Office of the Attorney General – carried out its operations between Nov. 1 and Dec. 9, conducting 845 inspections at main ports of entry, executing 160 search warrants in Mexico, and seizing 23.8 million pieces of counterfeit items, including cigarettes, tools, DVDs, toys, electronics, cell phone accessories and 10 tons of clothing that were illegally introduced into Mexico. The estimated value of these seized items is $7.1 million in U.S. currency, which is the equivalent to 96.7 million pesos. No arrests were made in connection with Mexico's portion of the operation.


This is the second iteration of Operation Holiday Hoax. The first netted more than $26 million worth of counterfeit goods when it was conducted in December 2009.


The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center uses the expertise of its 19 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions, and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters.


To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.


Featured

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.