U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 11 counterfeit Richard Mille watches at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport that would carry a combined retail price of $2.6 million if authentic, the agency said in an October 23 release.
The shipments came from China, with destinations across the southeastern United States. Officers intercepted the watches during an enforcement operation targeting counterfeit luxury merchandise, according to the release.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, which provide trade expertise, determined that the watches were counterfeit. Officers seized them for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks, the agency said.
The $2.6 million figure represents the combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price of genuine watches, rather than an appraisal of the knockoffs. The release did not specify when officers intercepted the shipments, identify the intended recipients, or announce criminal charges.
“The sale of fake goods often funds criminal organizations involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illicit trade,” CBP Area Port Director Jayson Ahern said in the release.
Ahern’s statement described the broader counterfeit trade. The release did not identify a criminal organization connected to these shipments.
The seizure follows earlier efforts to warn travelers about counterfeit merchandise at the airport. A 2024 CBP public awareness event at DFW highlighted fake designer goods and risks to consumers, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
The latest release also warned that counterfeit products extend beyond luxury accessories to medications, cosmetics, toys, electronics, and automotive parts. Substandard or harmful materials in those products can create health and safety risks, the agency said.
Consumers should buy directly from trademark owners or authorized retailers, CBP advised. For online purchases, the agency recommended checking seller reviews and looking for a working U.S. phone number and contact address.
Poor printing, peeling labels, and low-quality packaging can signal a counterfeit product, according to the agency. CBP also urged shoppers to question prices that seem too good to be true.
Provided by Dallas Express
