Cincinnati customs agents seized more than 800 shipments of counterfeit batons labeled as selfie sticks and window breakers.Agents intercepted the packages on July 30 that were destined to be sent to people throughout the country.If they were real, each baton was worth about $150.The batons, which were labeled to appear to be from legitimate suppliers like 5.11 Tactical and Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP), were being imported through a freight forwarder in Illinois and had originated in Shenzhen, China.The batons also came with spear tips, which are potentially dangerous accessories, officials said.“Our officers are very familiar with the many ways smugglers try to evade inspection,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “A concern is that these parcels were mis-manifested, which is a tactic smugglers use when a shipment is going to be used for nefarious activities. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our law-abiding citizens and our law enforcement counterparts.
Cincinnati customs agents seized more than 800 shipments of counterfeit batons labeled as selfie sticks and window breakers.
Agents intercepted the packages on July 30 that were destined to be sent to people throughout the country.
If they were real, each baton was worth about $150.
The batons, which were labeled to appear to be from legitimate suppliers like 5.11 Tactical and Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP), were being imported through a freight forwarder in Illinois and had originated in Shenzhen, China.
The batons also came with spear tips, which are potentially dangerous accessories, officials said.
“Our officers are very familiar with the many ways smugglers try to evade inspection,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “A concern is that these parcels were mis-manifested, which is a tactic smugglers use when a shipment is going to be used for nefarious activities. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our law-abiding citizens and our law enforcement counterparts.
