Feds seize millions in phony NFL goods

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Special agents seized more than $4.8 million in fake NFL merchandise and seized 307 websites during Operation Fake Sweep, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton said Thursday.

The nationwide operation comes as Indianapolis ramps up for Super Bowl XLVI.

Officials targeted stores, flea markets and street vendors selling counterfeit game related sportswear.

ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations team seized fake jerseys, ball caps, t-shirts, jackets and other souvenirs. With just three days left before the game, the teams have already taken custody of 42,692 items of phony Super Bowl-related items.

While most people are focusing on whether the Patriots or Giants will win on Sunday, we at ICE have our sights on a different type of victory: defeating the international counterfeiting rings that illegally profit off of this event, the NFL, its players and sports fans," said ICE Director Morton. "In sports, players must abide by rules of the game, and in life, individuals must follow the laws of the land. Our message is simple: abiding by intellectual property rights laws is not optional; it's the law."

Agents and officers also targeted illegal imports into the US and seized hundreds of websites engaged in counterfeiting and piracy online.

Sixteen of the sites are alleged to have illegally streamed live sporting events, including NFL games. Nine of the sites were allegedly operated by Yonjo Quiroa, 28, of Comstock Park, Mich., who was arrested Wednesday.