(Source: Department of Homeland Security U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE )BESSSEMER,AL (WBRC) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with local and state law enforcement agencies seized 3,500 counterfeit items from 35 vendors today at the Bessemer flea market.
The items worth $425,000 were seized after an on going investigation by HSI to target counterfiet vendors. Some of the items included CDs,DVDs and counterfeit sportswear.
"Counterfeit products cost law-abiding Americans their jobs by depriving legitimate companies of sales they would otherwise make," said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer. "This is a problem that affects everyone. Criminals who sell counterfeit products don't pay taxes that go to supporting healthcare, paving roads and providing other vital government services. They are parasites on the legitimate businesses that drive our economy."
Parmer oversees a five-state area of responsibility including Alabama, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Todays investigation was part of two national initiatives. Operation Red Zone and Operation Holiday Hoax.
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