U.S. Customs and Border Protection halted a shipment of counterfeit championship rings worth about $680,000 at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in April, the CBP announced Thursday.
The shipment arrived on a flight from China and included 136 counterfeit rings for National Football League, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball teams. The Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets were among the teams represented, along with others.
#CBP at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Halts Bling of $680,000 in Championship Rings https://t.co/hoPSXbl3SK pic.twitter.com/dD6UXrId53
— CBP Great Lakes (@CBPGreatLakes) June 16, 2016
The investigation of the rings was conducted by the Cargo Enforcement Team, and it revealed the intended recipient was using a pseudonym and had previously engaged in trademark and copyright violations.
CBP maintained it is committed to enforcing intellectual property rights.
“CBP continues to devote its efforts and resources to target, intercept and seize shipments of commodities that violate trade laws,” said Gary Calhoun, acting port director for Detroit Metropolitan Airport. “Through tireless efforts, CBP officers and import specialists conduct these operations to stop shipments containing counterfeit and pirated items.”
