Billion Dollar Bust of Knockoff Designer Goods in NYC

Termed the “largest ever” bust of counterfeit goods, 219,000 items of counterfeit handbags, shoes, clothing, and other luxury items were found and seized in a Manhattan storage facility. If real, these goods were valued at over $1 billion.

Image courtesy: U.S. District Attorney, SDNY

In announcing the seizure and the arrest and arraignment of two individuals,  U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said:

“As alleged, the defendants used a Manhattan storage facility as a distribution center for massive amounts of knock-off designer goods.  The seizures announced today consist of merchandise with over a billion dollars in estimated retail value, the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history.  This is a testament to the commitment of this Office and its law enforcement partners to combat counterfeit trafficking in New York City.”

Also involved in the bust were the NYPD and the New York Field office of Homeland Security Operations (HSI).

Image courtesy: U.S. District Attorney, SDNY

Image courtesy: U.S. District Attorney, SDNY

As alleged in the indictments, during 2023, Adama Sow and Abdulai Jalloh “ran large-scale counterfeit goods trafficking operations out of a storage facility located in Manhattan.” Jalloh also used an offsite location. Both were charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods.

The billion dollar value alleged is based on retail pricing if the items were legitimate. Street value is far less. And yet, these fake bags are big business – whether sold on the streets, in stores, or online.

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers.  Today’s indictments show how seriously the NYPD and our federal partners take this offense.  And we will continue to work hard to hold accountable anyone who seeks to benefit by selling such items on the black market.”