The Government seized $19.5 million in counterfeit NFL merchandise

Sounds like Homeland Security has been busy….

From Arstechnica:

Super Bowl Sunday in Arizona is just days away—so it’s that time of year when Homeland Security and other US officials take the stump to announce a multi-million dollar cache of counterfeit NFL merchandise the authorities have seized—all in the name of consumer safety.

“The sale of counterfeit products are connected to smuggling and other criminal activities and threatens the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of US workers, and in some cases the health and safety of the consumer,” R. Gil Kerlikowske, the Customs and Border Protection commissioner,said at a Phoenix news conference. “CBP works closely with our federal government partners to protect the United States from these damaging and unsafe goods.”

The “unsafe goods” confiscated from online stores, flea markets, street vendors, and other venues during “Operation Team Player” include counterfeit NFL jerseys, hats, shirts, jackets, and other clothing. As many as 52 people connected to the operation have been arrested, the authorities said.

In all, the authorities said they scored $19.5 million in NFL goods. The prior year, they confiscated $21.6 million worth of NFL merchandise.

About Kevin Causey

dry humorist, craft beer enthusiast, occasionally unbiased SEC fan, UGA alumni, contributor for The Student Section, This Given Sunday and Crossover Chronicles

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