SAN FRANCISCO—Fisherman’s Wharf here has long been one of the West Coast’s major tourist destinations. Federal officials said Tuesday it also served as a major hub for the sale of counterfeit designer goods.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Justice said they charged 11 people with trafficking in counterfeit items that were allegedly smuggled from China and offered for sale through eight Fisherman’s Wharf shops.
Officials said that they seized fake designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and other items with a value of nearly $100 million, based on manufacturer’s suggested retail prices, had the products been legitimate. The pirated goods sell for a fraction of the cost of legitimate ones . . . (more)
Marie C. Baca 