GREENSBORO, N.C. — Federal agents seized nearly half a million dollars worth of counterfeit shoes, handbags and watches at a North Carolina flea market Saturday, according to a statement from the North Carolina secretary of state.
Agents discovered knock-off designer clothes and accessories such as Air Jordan shoes, UGG boots, Rolex watches and Gucci handbags. Officials said the estimated retail value of the products was $460,000.
Ramon Poteat, 60, and Alhage Secka, 51, were both charged with felony criminal use of a counterfeit trademark.
Officials said three other flea market vendors were also charged with misdemeanor trademark violations: 53-year-old Evette Daouda, 46-year-old Felicia Able and 39-year-old Joey Willis.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said these products can cause real economic harm to legitimate manufacturers and can potentially pose health and safety hazards.
“Counterfeit products do real economic harm to legitimate manufacturers and merchants, pose a health and safety hazard to consumers, and can help fund organized crime," Marshall said. "I thank our Task Force Officers as well as Homeland Security and the Greensboro Police Department for their invaluable assistance in this case.”
Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations and officers with the Greensboro Police Department assisted in the raid.
According to a statement, Marshall founded North Carolina’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force in 2014 and since, it has worked more than 5,500 cases and taken more than $150 million in counterfeit products off the streets.
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