Two men have been arrested for selling counterfeit jewelry items at a gem show in Tucson.
After receiving an anonymous tip, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations on Feb. 8 arrested two vendors at the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers show on charges of selling an estimated $1 million in counterfeit items. According to a release from Immigration and Custom Enforcement, the vendors admitted the jewelry was fake and then sold the merchandise to undercover agents.
Agents seized an estimated $1 million worth of fraudulent goods, including jewelry mimicking the trademarks of luxury companies such as Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Hermès, Coach, and Gucci.
The suspects face numerous potential state charges, including fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, and illegal enterprise.