US Customs Seizes Thousands of Fake IDs From China
Counterfeit driver's licenses seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protections officers in Louisville, Ky. (U.S. Customs and Border Protections) |
The six intercepted shipments, heading to different individuals in the New York area, contained 2,909 counterfeit driver’s licenses and 3,123 blank card stocks used to make fake licenses, according to a Nov. 25 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release.
One of the shipments was bound for a convicted child rapist in the New York area, who officials suspect “entices minors with alcohol and counterfeit IDs before engaging in illicit activity,” CBP said.
The IDs were for various states, including Florida, Michigan, Illinois. Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, and a few other coastal states.
CBP authorities in Louisville also notified their Merphis office of shipments destined for that area, which resulted in an additional 527 fake identification cards being seized.
Thomas Mahn, CBP director for Louisville Port, said that the uses of fake IDs were far beyond underage drinking. These include “identity theft, worksite enforcement, critical infrastructure protection, fraud linked to immigration-related crimes such as human smuggling and human trafficking,” he said.
Mahn added that the documents could enable “those individuals associated with terrorism to minimize scrutiny from travel screening measures.”
A March study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that the United States was the country most affected by counterfeit goods in 2016, with 24 percent of the fake products seized worldwide infringing its brands or patents.
The report also identified China as the main source of counterfeit and pirated goods, accounting for more than 80 percent of the global fake products seizures in 2016. It also found that China and Hong Kong accounted for $322 billion of counterfeit or pirated product exports worldwide, making up around 63.4 percent of the global total.
Counterfeit Toothbrush Heads
In another recent seizure, CBP officers on Nov. 7 seized 20,400 counterfeit Oral-B toothbrush heads in Philadelphia designated to Delran, New Jersey.
The seizure came a month after the officers flagged an air cargo shipment for examination. The authorities said that they detained the shipment upon noticing the “poor packaging and questionable quality,” which raised suspicions that it might contain counterfeit goods, according to a Nov. 27 press release.
The shipment consisted of 1,200 10-pack and 2,800 3-pack toothbrush heads that had the Oral-B brand logo.
CBP officers seized 20,400 counterfeit Oral-B toothbrush heads in Philadelphia, Pa., on Nov. 7, 2019. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) |
Authentic products of the same brand would carry a total retail price of $95,600, the release said.
CBP warned that counterfeit goods could pose a serious health threat to consumers.
“Counterfeit brush heads are manufactured in unsanitary facilities with substandard materials that may sicken users or cause bleeding to a user’s gums or mouth, and structural defects may cause the brush head to detach and potentially choke users,” the agency said.
Related News
Why more than 100 Vietnamese means of transport detained in China?
08:21 | 01/05/2024 Customs
Lang Son Customs has drastically implemented solutions to promote customs clearance
06:49 | 30/04/2024 Customs
Notice for businesses exporting watermelons to China
09:40 | 25/04/2024 Customs
"Huge" drug lines and new disguise tricks
15:34 | 24/04/2024 Anti-Smuggling
Latest News
Saudi customs receives global acclaim for two-hour clearance service
07:49 | 05/04/2024 World Customs
Customs create safe environment for all procedures
10:01 | 22/03/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs arrests 7 for laundering $1.8 billion
14:51 | 23/02/2024 World Customs
The Republic of Nicaragua accedes to the Revised Kyoto Convention as the 136th Contracting Party
17:44 | 21/02/2024 World Customs
More News
Bulgaria Announces Merger of Customs and Revenue Agencies
17:43 | 21/02/2024 World Customs
Employing AI, ML in Customs and border management
07:53 | 13/02/2024 World Customs
Digital technologies in customs control
08:06 | 11/02/2024 World Customs
Customs seize cocaine 'skilfully' disguised as wine
15:29 | 23/01/2024 World Customs
Abu Dhabi Customs Supports Inspection System with Smart Devices that Streamline and Expedite Goods and Passengers Movement in Al Ain Ports
13:41 | 17/01/2024 World Customs
$10.2M in methamphetamine and cocaine hidden in flower shipment seized at Texas-Mexico border
13:57 | 11/01/2024 World Customs
World Customs Organization welcomes new Secretary General
13:55 | 11/01/2024 World Customs
2024 remains challenging for wood sector: experts
15:51 | 02/01/2024 World Customs
WCO and China Customs launch Smart Customs Project
14:55 | 23/12/2023 World Customs
Your care
Saudi customs receives global acclaim for two-hour clearance service
07:49 | 05/04/2024 World Customs
Customs create safe environment for all procedures
10:01 | 22/03/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs arrests 7 for laundering $1.8 billion
14:51 | 23/02/2024 World Customs
The Republic of Nicaragua accedes to the Revised Kyoto Convention as the 136th Contracting Party
17:44 | 21/02/2024 World Customs
Bulgaria Announces Merger of Customs and Revenue Agencies
17:43 | 21/02/2024 World Customs