A month-long operation headed up by federal and local law enforcement authorities in South Florida resulted in the seizure of 8,165 items of counterfeit Super Bowl-related memorabilia and other counterfeit items valued at more than $400,000, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today.
The NFL cooperated with law enforcement in an operation dubbed Operation Faux Bowl, which started before the Pro Bowl and yielded six arrests.
“Two major games in the same week, in the same city was a strong magnet for criminals who steal trademarks and knock off trusted brands to sell their substandard wares,” said John Morton, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “ICE made a major dent in these criminals’ plans to profit from fan enthusiasm. We struck a blow for the consumers, the businesses and the American workers who are hurt by this kind of crime.”
Most of the seized items were knockoffs of allegedly official NFL merchandise. Special agents seized counterfeit merchandise in Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Boca Raton and other South Florida cities.
