ROWLETT, Texas (KETK) — Authorities seized more than 62,000 suspected counterfeit luxury items in Rowlett after a multi-agency investigation exposed a large-scale operation selling fake designer goods through social media.
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Rowlett police said the investigation began Feb. 9 after authorities received information that luxury merchandise was being sold through Facebook Live streams and distributed from Rowlett.
On Feb. 17, detectives executed a search warrant connected to the operation, seizing large quantities of counterfeit merchandise, a vehicle and approximately $208,000 in U.S. currency.
Preliminary totals after the seizure include:
- 62,294 suspected counterfeit items
- Counterfeit items representing more than $101.6 million if the products were authentic
- An estimated street value of $995,276
- $208,000 in U.S. currency seized
- A 2017 Chevrolet Silverado seized
According to the Rowlett Police Department, Orlando Gonzales Marcella was arrested and charged with trademark counterfeiting over $300,000, which is a first-degree felony and he is in custody at the Dallas County Jail…