Criminals, Terrorists Often Have Ties to Counterfeit Goods
July 14, 2012
A file photo of counterfeit designer products seized in a raid by federal officials.
This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.
Counterfeit designer clothing, medicines and other products are made and sold around the world. American investigators say the counterfeit goods industry is bigger business than the illegal drug trade. And they say anyone buying such goods could be providing support to other criminal activities.
Counterfeit goods may look like the real thing. But they are only copies made without the approval of the business or individual with rights to the original product.
Many fake goods from East Asia enter the United States through the port of Los Angeles, California. People looking for low prices on goods go to a part of Los Angeles called Santee Alley. It is a place where counterfeit goods are sold. Clothing, sunglasses, watches and toys fill the many small stores in the area.
Anita Grey has been going to Santee Alley for years. She says she would never buy fake designer products, but she has seen them there.
ANITA GREY: “I know years ago when I come down, you would see it. And now, you don’t see it at all.”
Investigator Kris Buckner says there is a reason people do not see counterfeit goods openly displayed at Santee Alley anymore: police have repeatedly raided stores that carry fake designer goods. As a result, people who sell them are much more careful.
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