News Releases and Statements

The items ranged from clothing and sneakers to electronics produced without authorization from U.S. trademark holders, as well as those that did not adhere to U.S. consumer safety standards.

On Nov. 21, in advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, HSI and CBP cautioned the public about the real dangers of purchasing goods that may be counterfeit, restricted or prohibited.

Yasser Saleh Ouwad, a 52-year-old resident of Houston, was sentenced Nov. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to transport stolen merchandise.

In 2022, authorities seized more than 180,000 counterfeit sports-related items worth an estimated $22.7 million through Operation Team Player, a collaborative public-private sector operation targeting international shipments of counterfeit merchandise into the United States with brand owners and e-commerce marketplaces.

According to court records, Tien Tan Vo, 47, of El Centro, injected as many as 178 patients with unapproved drugs that had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

Tien Tan Vo, 47, of El Centro, pleaded guilty to receipt of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and being an accessory after the fact to an accomplice, who smuggled the unapproved drugs into the United States from Mexico.

Mohammed Al-Abadi, 51, was indicted in the Western District of Tennessee.

High-profile sporting events like the Final Four often attract counterfeiters who prey on increased public demand to illegally sell counterfeit merchandise and tickets to celebrating fans who let down their guards.

U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark sentenced Tabitha Nicole Rodgers, 43, and her husband, Clint Travis Rodgers, 49, in separate appearances. Tabitha Rodgers was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Clint Rodgers was sentenced to one year in federal prison without parole.

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced the seizure of approximately 180,000 counterfeit sports-related items, worth an estimated $22.7 million during a joint press conference with the National Football League (NFL).

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the big game, HSI and its partners are in the final stages of implementing plans to ensure Super Bowl LVII is a safe and secure event. For HSI Arizona, these preparations started over a year ago, when the office first began working alongside its government partners and the NFL to support operations and counterfeit merchandise investigations.

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced a new partnership between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI) to combat illicit pharmaceutical trade and protect patients from the health and safety threats posed by counterfeit medications, Dec. 19.

Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office seized 23 separate internet domains Friday for allegedly live streaming World Cup matches, an infringement of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) copyrights. Individuals visiting the sites will now see a message that the site has been seized by the federal government and be redirected to another site for additional information.

The investigation into the seizures began in September 2022, when HSI received information from a representative of FIFA identifying several sites being used to distribute copyright infringing content, specifically World Cup games, without FIFA’s authorization.

For more than two decades, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), working collaboratively with industry and brand owners, has led the effort in the government's response to prevent intellectual property theft, and has played a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media, and eCommerce marketplaces.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States, including HSI, executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown Nov. 2 of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars. Arrests, searches, and seizures took place in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wyoming. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles in the conspiracy.

MLB has a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting program, including official MLB holograms affixed to all officially licensed MLB products to protect fans looking to purchase genuine MLB merchandise. Counterfeiters target major events, such as the World Series, where fans are eager to take home memorable keepsakes.

A North Shores resident was sentenced to prison for selling counterfeit baseball cards, Oct. 18. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Bryan Kennert, 57, to 30 months in prison for selling $43,354.94 of antique baseball that he falsely represented as original and unopened card packs.

HSI San Diego is cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB NLCS in San Diego. The city of San Diego is host to games one and two of the series and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

HSI Houston and the HPD are cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB ALCS games in Houston. The city of Houston is scheduled to host games one and two of the series beginning today and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

HSI’s wildlife trafficking initiative focuses on investigations regarding the illegal trade of protected, endangered, and non-native species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 makes it unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to import or export certain species into or from the United States or to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any species in interstate or foreign commerce.

The operation, which was conducted during the week leading up a Premier League preseason soccer match July 20 at NRG Park, is part of a nationwide effort called “Operation Team Player”. The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the Premier League aided during the operation.

For the 14th year in a row, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) joined 94 Interpol member countries in a coordinated crackdown on illicit online pharmacies dubbed “Operation Pangea XV,” June 23-30. The operation netted more than 7,800 seizures of illicit and falsified medicines, totaling more than three million individual units at $11 million.

Counterfeiters routinely target major sporting venues and other entertainment events such as the Premier League soccer match to illegally sell counterfeit apparel, merchandise, and tickets.

Large sporting events, such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, are prime targets for bad actors who are extremely savvy and often set up fake websites or e-commerce marketplaces with the sole intent of scamming sports fans.