MASSIVE Bust in Ohio—Border Patrol Snags $1.4 MILLION in FAKE Super Bowl Gear!
U.S. Customs officers in Ohio confiscated over $1.4 million worth of counterfeit sports merchandise just before the Super Bowl. 🌐 #News #Cincinnati #Ohio #Crime
CINCINNATI, OH – Picture this: thousands of excited football fans gearing up for the Super Bowl, ready to sport their team’s jerseys and memorabilia—only to discover they’ve been duped by fakes. That’s exactly what U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati, Ohio, stopped this year. In a massive bust, they seized more than 4,000 counterfeit sports items, valued at nearly $1.5 million if they had been the real deal, just days before the big game.
Massive Counterfeit Haul in Cincinnati
From January 27, CBP officers in Cincinnati launched a targeted operation to crack down on fake sports merchandise flooding the market. Over the course of a week, they intercepted 85 shipments packed with bogus jerseys, hats, coins, jewelry, footwear, and bags.
Most of these shipments traced back to China and Hong Kong, carrying goods that mimicked high-value originals worth over $1.43 million.
“I’m extremely proud of our officers’ determination in stopping illicit shipments, and our commitment to protecting the American economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operations, Chicago Field Office, in a statement.
“Shipments like these prey on the many sports fans across the nation who may be tricked into paying high prices for these inferior products.”
What Did They Find?
The haul included 30 shipments stuffed with counterfeit NFL, MLB, and MLS jerseys, valued at $232,000 if authentic.
These knockoffs infringed on trademarks for popular teams like the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Al-Nassr FC, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners.
One standout seizure involved 156 fake Baltimore Ravens jerseys headed to Jensen Beach, Florida, worth more than $27,000 if genuine.
Another shipment, bound for a home on Elgin Air Force Base in Florida, contained 80 counterfeit NFL Las Vegas Raiders memorabilia coins. Shipped from Hong Kong, these fakes would have fetched $3,200 if they were real.
Protecting Fans and Businesses
CBP officials stress the broader impact of these seizures.
“CBP promotes fair and compliant trade,” said Cincinnati Port Director Eric Zizelman.
“Buying these dupes not only supports criminal organizations but defrauds legitimate American businesses. Our officers here in Cincinnati work 24 hours a day detecting and intercepting threats on American consumers.”
Authorities say this operation shines a light on the ongoing battle against counterfeit goods, especially as major events like the Super Bowl drive demand for team gear. With these fakes off the streets, CBP’s efforts ensure fans aren’t left with worthless knockoffs—and legitimate businesses aren’t cheated out of their earnings.
RELATED TOPICS: China | Crime | Ohio | Sports
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