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CrimeMar 28, 2017
2 Jewelers Arrested for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Goods
Police seized what they estimate is millions in fake merchandise during an investigation into The Lord of the Rings jewelry store in Miami.
Miami--Two jewelers in Miami were arrested by police earlier this month for allegedly selling counterfeit goods in their store.
The Miami-Dade Police Department, Northside District said it arrested Tania Varona, 57, on March 7 and Jimmy Hernandez, 40, on March 21. The two are co-owners of a jewelry store called The Lord of the Rings.
According to a statement from the police, the arrests came as part of an investigation into the possible sale of counterfeit goods at the store.
After inspecting the premises, investigators discovered and seized thousands of counterfeit name-brand products like Cartier, Channel, Tous, Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Rolex, among others. Police say the store was selling the goods for about 10 percent of the price the genuine goods would have cost.
The Miami police displayed the haul for the public to help educate them, and also posted videos of what it seized to its social media accounts.
#MDPD confiscated over $31 million ⯑ of counterfeit goods which resulted in 2 arrests. More info on #MDPD's Week In Review #MDPDProtecting pic.twitter.com/wEUyDHhTjn
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) March 24, 2017
The police estimate the retail value of the goods they seized, had they been genuine, at around $31 million.
No one could be reached at the store for comment.
Both Varona and Hernandez have bonded out of jail, according to police. They are charged with counterfeiting goods in excess of $20,000.
The police department did not respond to an inquiry about court dates by press time.
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