Nearly $200,000 worth of counterfeit sports merchandise was seized this weekend during the events surrounding the National Basketball Association’s All-Star 2010 game in Dallas, federal officials said at a news conference.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with four law enforcement departments, seized jerseys, T-shirts, caps and other products peddled at the Dallas Convention Center, Cowboys Stadium, American Airlines Center and flea markets.
Many of the items were substandard with smudged lettering, or tags that featured what appeared to be holograms but lacked serial numbers that prove the items were genuine.
“This was probably a dry run to see the trends, to see what we will see at the Super Bowl,” said Nancy Kratzer, deputy Special Agent-in-Charge for ICEs Dallas regional office. “We wanted to see what sort of manpower we need and what type of merchandise well see. We will be very prepared for the Super Bowl.”
