"Feds seize $1B in fake handbags and shoes from NYC storage unit in largest counterfeit bust in US history" - NYPost
--
This bust was faux real.

A storage facility in Manhattan was the site of the largest counterfeit goods seizure in US history as authorities on Wednesday unveiled a sprawling collection of phony “designer” merchandise the envy of any socialite wannabe.

Two men were arrested in the operation where a whopping $1.03 billion worth of fake handbags, shoes, clothes and other accessories were stored away in boxes and on cluttered shelves in units at Gotham Mini Storage, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release.

About 219,000 faux items were recovered in the joint investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents and the NYPD.

Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, allegedly ran the black-market operation out of the storage facility from January through October, the feds alleged.

Jalloh is also accused of peddling counterfeit goods out of another off-site location in Manhattan, prosecutors said.

About 219,000 faux items were recovered in the joint investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents and the NYPD.

Photos released by the US Attorney’s Office showed units filled to the brim with thousands of counterfeit high-end handbags of every color and design. Some clothes were hanging off the pipes in one room.

“As alleged, the defendants used a Manhattan storage facility as a distribution center for massive amounts of knock-off designer goods,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “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.”

Another photo showed dozens of unopened boxes on pallets lined up in another room.

Sow, of Queens, and Jalloh, of Manhattan, were charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods.

If convicted, the pair could face a maximum of 10 years in prison.

“The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said in a statement.

“Today’s indictments show how seriously the NYPD and our federal partners take this offense.”

https://nypost.com/2023/11/16/metro...es-1-billion-in-fake-handbags-and-shoes/

This is actually HIGHLY fucking interesting to me.

Any fans of Gommorah know that the Naples gangs monopolized the production centers for Italian high fashion. It's long been rumored that they supply MANY shops in the US, in NY, Miami, and Chicago supposedly.

10 years max for a billion $ of merchandise… these gambinos are facing a min of 20 up to 120 years for what? A fight with a restaurant owner and some threats to some businesses which got them 4k lol? Crazy comparison, is it just because of the violence their potential sentences are so much higher? Or purely cause of organized crime?

Brovelli, that's just what they've been indicted for, they are much bigger than that for sure. Law enforcement don't stalk these guys across continents for nothing. They were only able to get them for pente ante crimes. And as far as what they face, they will more than likely plead out to much, much lighter sentences unless someone flips or more serious charges are brought.

Because it was Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48. No Italian names, no massive prison time, no RICO case.

I agree unless I missed something there’s no way anyone on that indictment is getting 20 years but the difference in the potential punishment seems crazy to me. That debate can go on all day about he justice system

Counterfeiting of "designer" goods, ie; handbags, watches, jackets, etc., by Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Prada, etc., has become real big business. And as clearly evidenced above...a multibillion-dollar business.

And proportionately speaking, "IF" they go away, those convicted typically get a year, 2 years, maybe a 3-year bid, at best. For that kind of money? Most guys I know would be happy to go to "Club Fed" for a vacation! Lol

As long as I cashed in before they got me!!

No doubt! lol