US seize fake jewelry and watches that if they were genuine would be worth US $ 9.6 million

Officials from the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized two shipments of jewelry and watches in Cincinnati, United States, that if they were genuine they would be worth 9.6 million dollars.

The first shipment originated in Shenzen, China, and was destined for a private residence in Norcross Georgia.

Although it had a declared value of $ 315, the package contained 171 jewels or watches labeled Versace, Michael Kors, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, Tiffany, Bulgari, Armani, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Hublot, Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet, Louis Vuitton, Fossil, Omega or Rolex.

If the 171 items had been genuine, the cumulative manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) would have been $ 8,419,017.

Jewelry

The second shipment came through a freight forwarder in Hong Kong and was destined for a person in West Palm Beach, Florida.

This shipment contained 113 counterfeit Cartier bracelets with a total MSRP of 1,170,000, if they had been real.

«These large seizures illustrate the work our officers do every day to protect our country, its citizens and the economy,» said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. «Our officers are dedicated to preventing counterfeiters from defrauding legitimate consumers and businesses.»

Violations of intellectual property rights are associated with smuggling and other criminal activities and often finance criminal enterprises.

CBP protects the intellectual property rights of US companies.