The merchandise was a forgery. The busts were genuine. In the latest crackdown on Canal Street, the NYPD seized $30 million in counterfeit items and apprehended eight unlicensed street vendors.
The raid follows recent Post pieces detailing how the fraudulent businesspeople were back in full force and an exposé on how smugglers flood Canal Street with counterfeit stuff.
Police claimed they went after the vendors Thursday afternoon, taking a flurry of the usual imitation favorites: footwear, purses, watches, and bags.
Canal Street crackdown nets eight arrests, $30M in counterfeit merch https://t.co/T0rxfHCM6Y pic.twitter.com/tTfiaxGLc9
— New York Post (@nypost) August 19, 2023
The raid was carried out “in response to numerous community complaints,” according to the NYPD. Cops and illicit merchants are playing a cat-and-mouse game on Canal Street.
A major NYPD raid on Canal Street near Broadway in August 2022 collected up to $2 million in counterfeit designer products. However, the fraudulent peddlers reappeared in the same location within months.
In November, cops discovered over $10 million in “high-end” counterfeit items on Canal Street while searching for knock-off purses, footwear, and other illicit goods.
According to Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, the raid resulted in 17 arrests, with the rogue vendors facing a top charge of trademark counterfeiting property exceeding $1,000, a felony in the state.
The eight vendors arrested on Thursday ranged in age from 33 to 50. The defendants are all facing trademark infringement charges, and several are also facing unlicensed vendor accusations. The NYPD was also accused of resisting arrest.
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Tyler is a passionate journalist with a keen eye for detail and a deep love for uncovering the truth. With years of experience covering a wide range of topics, Tyler has a proven track record of delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles to readers everywhere. Whether it’s breaking news, in-depth investigations, or behind-the-scenes looks at the world of politics and entertainment, Tyler has a unique ability to bring a story to life and make it relevant to audiences everywhere. When he’s not writing, you can find Tyler exploring new cultures, trying new foods, and soaking up the beauty of the world around him.