INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Indianapolis intercepted a major shipment of counterfeit luxury jewelry and handbags that would have been worth more than $3.7 million if genuine.
Officers at an express consignment facility in Indianapolis pulled a parcel originating from Hong Kong that was bound for a residential address in Georgia. Upon inspection, trade specialists discovered 875 pieces of counterfeit jewelry—including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets—alongside five knockoff designer handbags.
The shipment contained unauthorized trademarks of top luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Experts with CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise confirmed the items were inauthentic before seizing the shipment.
“CBP has an exceptional team of officers and import specialists who are experts in identifying counterfeit goods and work closely with private industry to thwart intellectual property infringement,” said Indianapolis Port Director Brett Mueller. “CBP remains committed to stopping counterfeit smuggling, taking profits from organized crime, and protecting communities from potentially hazardous knockoffs.”
Federal officials note that profits from counterfeit goods sales frequently fund transnational organized crime networks. Additionally, knockoff items pose health and safety risks to consumers as they are often manufactured in unregulated environments using substandard materials…