News Releases and Statements

The destruction – which marked the first time Vietnam has invited U.S. government representatives in Ho Chi Minh City to attend such an event – came on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Vishal Amin and HSI Global Trade Investigations Assistant Director Alex Khu.

33 individuals were charged Thursday following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) into a scheme to illegally bring into the United States millions of dollars of Chinese-manufactured goods by smuggling them through ports of entry on the East and West Coasts.  One defendant is also charged with unlawful procurement of naturalization.  

HSI El Paso is the only SAC office physically located on the U.S-Mexico border. Its area of responsibility comprises the 18 westernmost counties of Texas, and the entire state of New Mexico, encompassing about 156,000 square miles.

HSI eventually seized 795 boxes containing 181,615 pieces of trademark-infringed merchandise, which included many counterfeited brands, such as the following names: Adidas, Apple, Calvin Klein, Casio, Chanel, Coach, Diesel, Fendi, Gucci, Hugo Boss, LG, Luis Vuitton, Mark Kors, Nike, Rolex, Samsung, Sony, Under Armor, Yves St. Laurent; and DC and Marvel Comics.

Special agents with ICE's HSI on Thursday seized nearly 79,000 counterfeit items that included apparel and consumer electronics from luxury and sporting trademark designers such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Nike, Apple, Samsung and Sony. 

The IPR Center not only stands at the forefront of the federal government’s response to counterfeiting, but also epitomizes ICE’s commitment to dedicate resources in the fight against IP crimes,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director Derek Benner. “HSI special agents in collaboration with law-enforcement partners and industry representatives will continue to aggressively investigate IP theft and refer cases for prosecution.

According to the indictment, defendants Carlos Enrique Velázquez-Gines, Mayra Evelise Gines-Otero, Noriam Ivette Flores-Deleon and Vanessa Marrero-Hernández marketed and sold numerous purported dietary supplements for male enhancement or weight loss in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to American consumers.

Special agents from HSI teamed with industry, CBP, FBI, Minneapolis police officers and other partner agencies to identify flea markets, retail outlets and street vendors selling counterfeit goods during the week leading up to Super Bowl LII. They seized fake jerseys, hats, cell-phone accessories and thousands of other bogus items prepared to be sold to unsuspecting consumers.

The crackdown on counterfeiting intensified this week as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) welcomed Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) industry representatives from multiple sectors, and IP enforcers from across the federal government, to exchange intelligence and develop new strategies in the fight against IP crimes that support transnational criminal organizations and threaten the health and safety of American consumers.

ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan and DSI Director General Paisit Wongmuang signed the MOU in a ceremony held at ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C. Additional participants from ICE and DSI were in attendance.

Through a review of operational case studies, best practices and industry perspectives, the 11th annual International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference also aims to shape effective enforcement strategies.

The center will focus on identifying intellectual property rights violations, public health and safety threats, and compliance with import and export laws. It will work with a variety of federal agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation to enforce these laws. The Virginia TECC is the 12th in the country.

As special agent in charge, Kelly, a 29-year veteran of federal law enforcement, supervises a cadre of special agents responsible for investigative work across 48 counties in central, western and northern New York State. 

As special agent in charge, Francis, a 20-year veteran of federal law enforcement, supervises a cadre of special agents located across Michigan and Ohio.

The aim of Operation SaveREP is to target, intercept, and seize rhino horns, elephant ivory, and pangolin scales and other Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) goods and to apprehend and arrest offenders in a concerted national, regional, and international effort.

In the past, seized cosmetics have been found to contain hazardous substances including cyanide, arsenic, mercury, lead, urine and rat droppings. Fake condoms will not guard the user against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

The 19 community leaders selected to attend the academy underwent an eight-week course where they experienced a unique opportunity to learn about the agency in an active environment that included classroom instruction as well as practical exercises.

David Brian Henrichsen, 51, a former police officer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of computer crime to commit theft, and was fined $7,500 by Adams County District Judge Ted Tow for his role in the criminal enterprise.

As special agent in charge, Miller, a 25-year veteran of federal law enforcement, oversees nearly 200 federal agents, intelligence analysts, and professional administrative staff across six HSI offices throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. 

The operation, named “Surge Protector”, will focus on electronics vulnerable to counterfeiting, including phony digital media devices, power adapters and consumer technology powered by lithium ion batteries. 

The Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) for Intellectual Property Enforcement, titled “Supporting Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise: Charting a Path Ahead”, identifies overarching goals, mandated objectives and collaborative initiatives to be implemented by the ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) over the next three years. 

There were roughly 15,000 illegal websites seized and 48,000 erroneous ecommerce links removed over the past year as part of Operation In Our Sites VII, an effort conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Europol, Interpol and members of industry to crackdown on individuals using the Internet to peddle bogus goods and other copyright-protected material that threaten the health and safety of shoppers.

In 2015, the number of seizures made nationally due to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations increased 25 percent from the previous year, totaling more than 28,000 seizures with an estimated value of more than $1.3 billion.