Counterfeit Viagra, headphones, purses and shoes from China worth over $32 million seized by CBP

Kaylee Greenlee, DCNF

Officials seized over $32 million worth of counterfeit Viagra, headphones and other products from three cargo shipments from China at the Long Beach Seaport in California, Customs and Border Protection announced Thursday.

Over one million counterfeit erectile dysfunction pills were found in the shipment from China, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officials also found counterfeit shoes, purses, belts and other items worth an estimated total of around $32,161,000.

“Criminals are exploiting e-commerce platforms to sell counterfeit and often dangerous goods to unwitting holiday shoppers,” CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles Carlos C. Martel said in a statement.

🚨News Release🚨Counterfeit Viagra Pills, Footwear, Belts, Car Emblems and Headphones Worth Over $32 Million Seized at the LA/Long Beach Seaport. Full story at: https://t.co/JlDpN4lGwk pic.twitter.com/bBRpAfmbUv

— DFO Carlos C. Martel (@DFOLosAngeles) December 17, 2020

Millions of counterfeit goods seized from countries around the world consist of popular technology products and designer accessories, according to CBP. Some seizures, such as counterfeit pharmaceuticals and safety equipment like bike helmets and medical devices pose more significant health and safety concerns.

“The primary mission of the LAPD’s IPCU is to aggressively target the manufacture, sales and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and merchandise,” Commanding Officer of the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Captain III Lillian Carranza said in a statement.

“It is vital to maintain partnerships with CBP and HSI to weaken the supply networks and disrupt the businesses of criminal gangs, organized crime and terrorism groups,” Carranza added.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Illicit Pharmaceutical and Counterfeit Unit helped with the seizure, according to CBP.

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