Federal agents seized more than $1.35 billion in counterfeit goods last year, according to an annual report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Border Patrol and Homeland Seurity agents reported a 10 percent jump in the amount of counterfeit products seized in fiscal 2015, or $120 million more than in fiscal 2014.
The number of goods that violated intellectual property rights spiked 25 percent from 23,140 in 2014 to 28,865 in 2015, indicating there were more items of all prices trafficked.
“CBP’s frontline interdictions, steadfast targeting, and close collaboration with ICE and other law enforcement agencies produced a record number of seizures of counterfeit and pirated goods,” CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske said. “The large increase in the number of [counterfeit] seizures reflects the hard work and dedication of our people across the country every day.”
Officials said most of the pirated goods, 52 percent, were made in China. Clothing and jewelry were the top two products. Watches, jewelry, handbags and wallets topped the list as the priciest items seized.
More than 538 people were arrested in connection with the counterfeit items.
