Police Seized Counterfeit Merchandise

Los Angeles: Police along with investigative consultants and the Fashion District Security shut down a major counterfeiting operation in downtown Los Angeles.

During a two-day raid, authorities seized $18.4 million worth of counterfeit designer brand merchandise from two downtown locations. On May 23, 2006, police raided a swap meet located at 500 South Los Angeles Street and found fake Tiffany jewelry worth about $6.4 million and arrested two adults. On May 24, 2006, police also raided and seized 12 million worth of counterfeit handbags, clothes, sunglasses, shoes and wallets etc. from the Fashion District Santee Alley between 12th Street and Olympic Boulevard.

Most of the designer brand products were: Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach, Bebe, Oakley and Gucci.

Authorities have been investigating the operation for several months and wanted to combat the rampant illegal counterfeit that has grown rapidly in the downtown area.

Chul Kim, 46, and Angie Kim, 50, were both arrested and booked for willfully manufacturing, intentionally selling, or possessing for sale any counterfeit of a trademark registered with the Secretary of State or registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Bail amount was set at $25,000 and $20,000 respectively.

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