El Paso: Homeland Security Investigations confiscate $2 million in counterfeit products in 8 months

U.S Department of Homeland Security investigations have led to the confiscation of $2 million worth of counterfeit products in the past eight months alone.

“We have ongoing efforts every day to identify disrupt and dismantle activity concerning counterfeit products,” said Special Agent in Charge, Waldmar Rodriguez.

Rodriguez tells ABC-7 Homeland Security investigators work relentlessly alongside Customs and Border Protection to keep counterfeit products off the street.

Most would probably guess electronics, purses, watches and sports jerseys are the most common counterfeit products but federal authorities are seeing an alarming trend.

Rodriguez tells ABC-7 he hasn’t seen a rise in fake goods but he has seen changes in how the products are moved.

“Right now we see more products being imported from China and those products are being exported to Mexico for sale,” said Rodriguez.

As many would expect you can find knock-off products like shirts, jerseys and popular electronics.

“As you can see this is Beats brand by Doctor Dre. Well the problem with this is that Beats does not manufacture this product,” Rodriguez showed ABC-7 crews.

While many are out to find a better deal for products but a better price doesn’t necessarily mean a better product, especially when it your life depends on it. Counterfeit products that are a little more eye opening are the ones that involve our safety.

“There were some seizures of counterfeit airbags,” said Rodriguez.

Even worse: “There have been some instances where aviation parts have been detected to be counterfeit introduced in the supply chain,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says the products do not meet the same quality specifications as the originals.

Besides safety, Rodriguez warns consumers there is more to it than getting a better price.

“They are also causing the United States to lose revenue and U.S. jobs,” said Rodriguez..

Rodriguez says stick to reputable vendors and a good rule of thumb is:
If the price is too good to be true it probably is.