This week, it was announced that 22 defendants had been charged with illegally bringing millions of dollars of Chinese-manufactured goods into the United States by smuggling them through ports of entry on the West and East Coasts. One defendant has also been charged with unlawful procurement of naturalization. 21 of the defendants were arrested on Thursday morning. The charges include conspiracy to traffic, trafficking in counterfeit goods, conspiracy to smuggle, smuggling, money laundering conspiracy, immigration fraud and unlawful procurement of naturalization.
Also, the government has restrained nine real properties in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens, New York belonging to the defendants. Court filings claims that the defendants played various roles in the trafficking of counterfeit goods made in China. The goods were brought by ocean to the United States in shipping containers. They were allegedly smuggled through ports of entry disguised as legitimate imports and distributed throughout the country.
The counterfeit goods included fake Louis Vuitton and Tory Burch handbags, Hermes belts, Chanel perfume and Michael Kors wallets. A full list of the defendants and further details can be found here.