Counterfeit Material Displayed at DFW Airport

DFW International Airport (WBAP/KLIF News) – Customs and Border Protection showcased counterfeit material at DFW Airport Tuesday. Passengers in the secure area of Terminal D were able to see counterfeit DVDs, handbags, shoes and even “fidget spinners.”

“We want people to know it’s not a victimless crime,” says Customs and Border Protection International Trade Specialist Rob Alleman.

Alleman says the fidget spinners included copyrighted pictures. Across the country, he says Customs and Border Protection seized $1.3 billion of counterfeit items.

Alleman says counterfeit items may be more flammable or made with material that can cause cancer. While counterfeit items are becoming more sophisticated, he says misspellings and issues with packaging are still common.

“If this was professionally done, there’d be a slot for every disc. In this package, it’s all just sort of scattered around,” he said, showing counterfeit DVDs. “It’s always a game. It’s always who can get ahead of the other person.”

He says the display aimed to show passengers at DFW the economic, safety and legal impact of counterfeit merchandise seized at the airport. This summer, Customs and Border Protection is setting up similar displays at airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC.

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