A raid at a Raleigh flea market yielded seven arrests on charges of trademark violations.
Agents with the North Carolina Secretary of State working with the Raleigh Police Department uncovered what are believed to be counterfeit designer shoes and apparel, and pirated music and movies with an estimated retail value of $932,883.
"There is an increasing awareness that these are not victimless crimes, and that they do in many cases even have ties to organized crime," Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall said Wednesday.
Arrested Saturday at Watson's Flea Market at 436 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh were:
* Thierno Mamadou Diouf, 45, of Raleigh;
* Njeri Lavar Royster, 18, of Raleigh;
* Kara Mbye, 50, of Franklinton;
* Darryl Seth Tillery, 17, of Clayton;
* Moises Sanchez, 20, of Turkey;
* James Antonio Jerod Banks, 19, of Raleigh; and
* Trevon Will Scott, 17, of Raleigh.
Diouf, Royster, Mbye and Tillery were each charged with one count of felony criminal use of a counterfeit trademark.
Sanchez, Banks and Scott were each charged with one count of unauthorized use and possession of sound recordings.
Diouf was said to be in possession of 29 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Jordan shoes. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $3,000.
Royster was said to be in possession of counterfeit Mitchell & Ness hats, New Era hats, Nike shoes, Timberland boots, True Religion jeans and shirts, and Polo jeans and shirts. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
Mbye was said to be in possession of 109 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Jordan shoes, 42 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Force One shoes, and 100 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
Tillery was said to be in possession of counterfeit Mitchell & Ness hats, New Era hats, Nike shoes, Timberland boots, True Religion jeans and shirts, and Polo jeans and shirts. The retail sales value of the products exceeded $10,000.
And Sanchez, Banks and Scott were each said to be in possession of more than 100 unauthorized recorded devices, "which did not contain the true name and address of the manufacturer."
"The same criminal pipelines that bring in fake designer clothes and pirated movies can then also bring in knock-off electrical extension cords that can present a deadly fire hazard in your home, not to mention illegal drugs, weapons, and even human trafficking," Marshall explained.
