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Feds intercept phony goods at SFO

If you’re looking to treat yourself to a Channel bag, Converse Ball Star shoes or DAIDAS sweats, you may have to look a little harder this holiday season.

A crackdown by the feds at SFO’s mail processing facility obtained 300 boxes of counterfeit goods that were likely on their way to your favorite e-commerce site or local Chinatown.

The faux goodies ranged from sports jerseys and athletic shoes to designer bling. Even fake Viagra.

The three-day raid was part of a national and international effort called Operation Holiday Hoax. The sting had dozens of border control and customs agents scanning and X-raying the one million packages that come through the Bay Area monthly.

Ed Low, a chief supervisor for Customs and Border Protection at SFO, said most of the goods are coming from Asia. He’s seen everything from Dr. Dre Beats headphones to handbags:

“Just whatever the hot commodity out on the street now that people want to buy is what we’re seeing in the mail.”

The seized merch will become part of a criminal investigation or be destroyed.

This is the third year Operation Holiday Hoax, which runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26 has taken place. Last year’s operation intercepted goods estimated to be worth $77 million.

Last modified December 17, 2012 12:09 am

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