ICE Conducts Swap Meet Counterfeit Merchandise Bust

PHOENIX - ICE agents have busted three swap markets in Tucson and Phoenix for having counterfeit merchandise for sale.

In Tucson, ICE seized counterfeit clothing, shoes and jewelry valued at nearly $790,000 from 20 vendors at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet.

Items seized include fake Ed Hardy clothing and baseball hats, Hollister International clothes, Nike sneakers and Coach jewelry.

In Phoenix, ICE busted Santa Monica Gear, a business operating from two swap meet locations. Agents seized $8,510 worth of NFL and NBA jerseys and jackets.

Operation Holiday Hoax ran from Dec. 8, 2009, to Dec. 13.

Nationwide, more than $26 million in counterfeit products were seized as a result of Operation Holiday Hoax. More than 708,250 products were seized in 41 locations around the United States. Seven persons were arrested and charged in New York and Texas.

Anyone caught selling fake merchandise faces a fine and possible jail time.