U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two gem show vendors for selling counterfeit jewelry and seized about $1 million of the fake goods last Wednesday, Arizona Daily Star reported.
After receiving an anonymous tip, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested two vendors at the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers show on charges of selling an estimated $1 million in counterfeit items. According to a release from Immigration and Custom Enforcement, the vendors admitted the jewelry was fake and then sold the merchandise to undercover agents.
Almost $35,000 in cash and more than 2,500 pieces of jewelry was seized from the vendors, the release said. Agents seized an estimated $1 million worth of fraudulent goods, including jewelry mimicking the trademarks of luxury companies such as Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Hermès, Coach, and Gucci.
The vendors were arrested and released and could face fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering and illegal enterprise charges in Arizona state court, the release said.
Olga Patseva, Editor in Chief of the American Bureau, Rough&Polished
