Feds Seize Memorabilia - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced on Thursday that up to 326,000 pieces of counterfeit sports merchandise have been seized since the last Super Bowl game between the Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
Although over 100,000 more pieces of fake NFL memorabilia were seized last year than in the previous year, the total value of the items is about $2 million less.
According to NBC, the Feds would continue their annual operation until five days after the upcoming Super Bowl XLIX. Reports indicate that up to 52 people were arrested during the operation.
In order to promote best practices in the industry, the Feds are authorized to seize fake sports apparels, including jerseys, caps and other souvenirs. Agents particularly target international shipments from producers of counterfeit items from countries in Asia.
The sale of fake sports memorabilia at relatively cheaper prices often cuts into the market of authorized dealers and introduces a question of quality.
The director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Sarah Saldana explained that counterfeiting is not a "victimless crime."
"Whether it's the child in Southeast Asia working in deplorable conditions, or local stores going out of business, intellectual property theft is a very real crime with very real victims," she said.
The immense popularity of football almost guarantees that is an active market for buyers of NFL paraphernalia. Experts say over 100 million people in the US and around the world are expected to tune into the game between the Patriots and the Seahawks on Sunday.
Law enforcement officials have beefed up security at the University of Phoenix Stadium ahead of the game on Feb, 1st. Feds have announced that recreational drone users must not fly their drones over the stadium during the game or risk violating the Federal Aviation Administration's laws and be fined.
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