Homeland News | ICE agents raid stores for NFL jerseys, AK-47's seized on Texas border

JANUARY 13, 2011

HARLINGEN, TX

ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents seize 15 AK 47s weapons

HIDALGO, Texas - Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) on Tuesday seized 15 AK 47 assault type rifles that were discovered hidden inside a pickup truck.

Federal agents received a call from Hidalgo Police Department after officers conducted a traffic stop on the city's east side on highway 281. During the officer's routine inspection of the vehicle, they identified suspicious activity. ICE HSI agents arrived at the scene of the traffic stop and took the vehicle to the Hidalgo Port of Entry where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle. It was during the examination that officers discovered the rifles hidden inside the fuel tank of the pickup truck.

"Weapons trafficking fuels violence by criminal organizations and threatens the security of communities along our borders and throughout the country," said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Antonio. "This case is an example of the important work we do in conjunction with our law enforcement partners."

On Wednesday afternoon, the driver and the passenger, Antonio Ibarra, 41, and Edwardo Ibarra, 37, respectively, were arrested on state charges for firearms smuggling.

ICE HSI special agents routinely work closely with our law enforcement partners to share our expertise in import and export enforcement to keep our citizens safe and secure.

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JANUARY 11, 2011

PHOENIX,AZ

ICE seizes counterfeit NFL jerseys from Phoenix stores

PHOENIX - More than 160 counterfeit NFL jerseys were seized from two Phoenix sports memorabilia stores Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The businesses were targeted for investigation following a tip from a concerned citizen. HSI agents visited the stores, confirmed that they were selling counterfeit merchandise and seized 163 jerseys.

"As the NFL playoffs heat up, we're reminding consumers to give the cold shoulder to deals too good to be true," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona. "Although there is no evidence at this time that the store owners were intentionally defrauding their customers and infringing on NFL trademarks, we're continuing to monitor them and will seek federal charges if they engage in these practices again."

HSI agents say consumers should follow a few simple tips to help ensure they are buying authentic jerseys: Counterfeit goods have poor stitching around names and numbers, which is often particularly noticeable on the inside of the item. Incorrect spelling on sewn labels and counterfeit NFL logos, which should be holographic, are also indications of an illegal knock-off.

As the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, ICE HSI plays a leading role in targeting criminal organizations responsible for producing, smuggling, and distributing counterfeit products. ICE HSI focuses not only on keeping counterfeit products off U.S. streets, but also on dismantling the criminal organizations behind this activity.

ICE manages the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, which plays a pivotal role in the U.S. government's domestic and international law enforcement attack on IPR violations.