U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have intercepted a shipment of counterfeit luxury jewelry, which could have been sold for an estimated $3.5 million if authentic, the agency announced Monday. The shipment, which contained 660 rings, bracelets, and necklaces resembling designs by luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels, was discovered on February 20, while en route from China to a residence in Puerto Rico.
“Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry may seem like a bargain, but it often funds criminal operations involved in money laundering, forced labor, and organized crime,” said Efrain Rivas, assistant director of Field Operations for Trade at the San Juan Field Office. “These counterfeit networks exploit workers, evade taxes, and undermine legitimate businesses, all while supporting illicit activities like human trafficking and drug trade.”
CBP is urging consumers to be cautious when shopping for jewelry at bargain prices, reminding them that every counterfeit purchase contributes to an underground economy rooted in deception and exploitation.
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