A man has been arrested, and police have seized more than 62,000 suspected counterfeit luxury items following a multi-agency investigation into a social-media-based distribution operation, Rowlett police say.
In a press release, police say the investigation began Feb. 9 after they got a tip that the counterfeit merchandise was being sold through Facebook Live and distributed from different locations in Rowlett.
Police say, on Feb. 17, detectives arrested one man and seized 62,694 pieces of suspected counterfeit merchandise, about $208,000 and a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado.
Police say if the counterfeit items were authentic, they would be worth more than $101.6 million and hold an estimated street value of about $995,276.
Officials say Orlando Gonzalez Marcella has been charged with trademark counterfeiting more than $300,000, a first-degree felony, and is currently in the Dallas County Jail. Rowlett police say an arrest warrant has been issued for Aida Karina Lopez Alvarrez, who remains at large.
“Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime,” Rowlett Chief Michael Denning said in a statement. “Operations like this deceive consumers, harm legitimate businesses, and often fund broader criminal activity.”
Officials say the investigation involved the Rowlett Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, along with anti-counterfeit experts representing brands including Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada.