CrimeJan 12, 2022
JSA Notes ‘Disturbing Upsurge’ in Smash-and-Grab RobberiesCrimeJan 26, 2022
Customs Seizes Nearly $9M in Counterfeit Jewelry
Officials in Cincinnati and Indianapolis intercepted four shipments of fakes from Dec. 24 to Jan. 5.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati and Indianapolis recently seized four shipments of counterfeit jewelry, worth nearly $9 million if the items had been genuine.
Cincinnati—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati and Indianapolis seized nearly $9 million in counterfeit jewelry from Dec. 24 to Jan. 5.
The first of four shipments was stopped by customs officers in Cincinnati on Christmas Eve and contained 13,467 pieces of counterfeit designer jewelry.
The pieces were said to be from luxury brands like Bulgari, Cartier, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Rolex, Tiffany, Tori Burch, and Versace.
If genuine, the shipment, which originated from China, would be worth more than $3.7 million.
On Jan. 4, officers in Indianapolis seized a shipment containing 1,272 pieces of counterfeit jewelry, valued at more than $2 million if genuine.
The next day, the Indianapolis officers stopped two more shipments.
One contained 278 counterfeit Cartier and Hermès bracelets, worth nearly $2 million if genuine.
The other contained 1,680 fakes said to be from Chanel, Dior, Pandora, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., worth nearly $900,000 if they were real.
The four shipments, worth a total of $8.7 million if genuine, were on their way to private residences in Laredo, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; and White Plains, New York.
“This is just another example of the work our officers do to protect consumers and the U.S. economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations in Chicago, in a press release about the seizures.
“As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
The rise of e-commerce has given counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to reach consumers, CBP said.
It estimated U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion each year on goods that infringe upon intellectual property rights, accounting for 20 percent of the counterfeit goods sold illegally worldwide.
“Legitimate trade strengthens our economy, but counterfeit and pirated goods threaten American jobs and innovation,” said Indianapolis Acting Port Director Timothy Hubbard.
Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie said, “Protecting intellectual property rights remains a priority trade issue for CBP and our officers are committed to American consumers and our economic security.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online for consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
Related stories will be right here …
The first of four shipments was stopped by customs officers in Cincinnati on Christmas Eve and contained 13,467 pieces of counterfeit designer jewelry.
The pieces were said to be from luxury brands like Bulgari, Cartier, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Rolex, Tiffany, Tori Burch, and Versace.
If genuine, the shipment, which originated from China, would be worth more than $3.7 million.
On Jan. 4, officers in Indianapolis seized a shipment containing 1,272 pieces of counterfeit jewelry, valued at more than $2 million if genuine.
The next day, the Indianapolis officers stopped two more shipments.
One contained 278 counterfeit Cartier and Hermès bracelets, worth nearly $2 million if genuine.
The other contained 1,680 fakes said to be from Chanel, Dior, Pandora, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., worth nearly $900,000 if they were real.
The four shipments, worth a total of $8.7 million if genuine, were on their way to private residences in Laredo, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; and White Plains, New York.
“This is just another example of the work our officers do to protect consumers and the U.S. economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations in Chicago, in a press release about the seizures.
“As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
The rise of e-commerce has given counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to reach consumers, CBP said.
It estimated U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion each year on goods that infringe upon intellectual property rights, accounting for 20 percent of the counterfeit goods sold illegally worldwide.
“Legitimate trade strengthens our economy, but counterfeit and pirated goods threaten American jobs and innovation,” said Indianapolis Acting Port Director Timothy Hubbard.
Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie said, “Protecting intellectual property rights remains a priority trade issue for CBP and our officers are committed to American consumers and our economic security.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online for consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
