NYPD seized over $29 million dollars worth of “high-end” counterfeit products in a campaign against Unlicensed street vendors in Lower Manhattan.
Sneakers, handbags and other illicit imitation goods seized on Canal Street (Chinatown) by the New York police led to 29 total arrests. Dishonest sellers face a top charge of trademark counterfeiting, a felony in the state, said Patrol Chief Jeff Maddrey.
More than $M in ‘high-end knock-offs seized in Lower Manhattan https://t.co/i2eeQy2022v pic.twitter.com/vUYhGzuMnl— New York Post (@nypost) November 29, 2022
Bill Friberg, a “forgery recognition specialist” and retired sergeant of the New York police invited to the raid, told the New York Post that most of the seized assets they were from China or India.
“The law enforcement area we went to today resembled a local street market,” Maddrey said at a press conference a few hours after the raid of Monday. “The sidewalks are blocked, there is property everywhere, merchandise everywhere. This really negatively affects local businesses and reduces the quality of life.”
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“We seized more than three trucks loaded with merchandise,” he added. Maddrey said the NYPD will step up its citywide outreach explaining how to legally obtain vendors’ licenses as the holiday season approaches and reminding them that offering counterfeit merchandise remains illegal.
“We recognize that during the holidays, activities like this will increase, and our efforts to deter this conduct, to investigate this conduct, will continue,” Maddrey said.