L.A. port cops nab counterfeit, theft racket
Los Angeles Port Police recovered more than $10 million in counterfeit electronics, stolen merchandise and bank receipts stemming from a cargo theft investigation that stretched to a downtown Los Angeles counterfeiting operation.
The investigation has led to felony charges against two suspects, brothers Edward Zahab, 40, and Bahram Zahab, 45, both of Los Angeles.
Port police seized counterfeit Apple iPhones and iPods as well as $2.5 million in stolen electronics, toys and blankets taken from various spots in Southern California. According to the port, the counterfeit Apple products were shipped from Asia, then falsely labeled and packaged in Los Angeles.
Port Police worked on the investigation as part of the Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP), a California Highway Patrol initiative that includes participation from Los Angeles Port Police and the City of Vernon Police Department. The counterfeit investigation is being jointly conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Port Police. The Border Enforcement Security Taskforce, comprising federal, state and local agencies, also played a role in the investigation.
'The case stems from a stolen cargo investigation that led Los Angeles Port Police to several downtown Los Angeles locations in December and January,' the port said in a statement. 'During searches of the locations, port police discovered counterfeit products with an estimated street value of more than $1.4 million, stolen goods worth approximately $2.5 million and bank account receipts that indicate profits from the sale of counterfeit merchandise estimated to be more than $7 million.'
L.A. port cops nab counterfeit, theft racket
