8 Arrested In $200 Million Smuggling Operation From China To U.S. Via L.A Ports

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in California announced the disruption of a large-scale smuggling operation that involved moving at least $200 million worth of counterfeit and illegal goods from China to the United States on January 27.

The goods were smuggled into the U.S. through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest ports in the country.

Nine individuals have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, and breaking customs seals. Seven of the individuals were arrested on January 26, and one more was taken into custody on January 27. A ninth individual remains at large. The arrested individuals will face trial on March 18, 2025.

According to law enforcement, the smuggling network included executives from logistics companies, warehouse owners, trucking companies, and managers who coordinated the movement of truck drivers.

This enabled the smuggling of counterfeit goods through the ports and kept the operation hidden from customs and law enforcement.

It involved a process where the conspirators would divert containers that were flagged for secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

These containers, instead o…

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