$47M In Counterfeit Goods Seized At Flea Market
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Federal authorities say more than $47 million in counterfeit merchandise seized at the Patapsco Flea Market is the Homeland Security Investigation's largest such seizure ever at a flea market.
Agents raided the market in Southwest Baltimore on April 22 as part of a 2 1/2 year investigation. Authorities seized nearly 220,000 counterfeit items including clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, DVDs, CDs, perfume, makeup and other personal care items. Had those items been legitimate, authorities say, the total manufacturer's suggested retail price would be about $47.3 million.
The 300,000-square-foot flea market attracts hundreds of visitors each weekend.
Five people were charged with selling the counterfeit items.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
