NYPD Cops Make Record 12 Million Dollar Fake Merchandise Bust

Article written by: Rodrick Rainey
Posted on: December 23, 2004

Cops’ shoe leather produces record $12 million haul of fakeola apparel, like ‘Timberland’ boots checked yesterday by Police Officer Frank Kelly.

Inside a grimy building on Broadway, peddlers hawked bogus brand-name goods – North Face, Sean John, RocaWear, Reebok, Timberland, NBA and Nike – from a maze of 49 rooms. The massive counterfeit operation, the largest ever shut down by the NYPD, was an open secret, neighbors said yesterday.

Cops seized $12 million worth of counterfeit clothing after raiding the bootleg mall, which lured customers from around the nation to the heart of the Garment District, officials said.

No sign marked the building and no directory of vendors was posted near the front door. But anyone could walk past an unlocked metal door on W. 28th St., climb a flight of stairs and get a deal, neighbors said.

“This is a mall for illegal goods, and we’re going to put a stop to it,” city Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt said outside the building.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said cops moved in Monday night, the 10th such raid since Mayor Bloomberg began a crackdown on phony goods last December.

The raids have netted an estimated $40 million to $50 million in fake merchandise. Nine of the raided buildings remain closed and one is being leased to a legitimate business.

Cops expect the fake merchandise from Monday’s raid to fill five tractor-trailers.

One of the most popular items was a fake black North Face winter jacket tagged for $299.

People who work near the building said customers came from as far away as Detroit for the illegal bargains.

“When a customer buys merchandise from here, they know it’s fake,” said Sam Fares, 31.

“Why spend $200 when you can pay $35?” asked a bootlegger who was selling gold chains on the street.

Bootleggers predicted customers now will head to Canal St., where counterfeit fashion can still be found – as a recent Daily News probe showed.

The jackets, coats, hats, jeans and sunglasses at Aqueduct were marked with brand names including Tommy Hilfiger, North Face, Timberland, Polo, Calvin Klein, Guess and Gucci. They had a retail value of more than $1.3 million, authorities said.