The Dept. of Homeland Security, along with local law enforcement, raided a flea market this past weekend near Lawrence, Mass., arresting 40 people for selling counterfeit goods.
Since when is DHS suppose to be raiding flea markets? Aren’t they suppose to be tracking down terrorists? Oh wait, that’s what the Muslim Brotherhood organization considers Americans to be.
LAWRENCE — Police, joined by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested 40 people for selling counterfeit items at two flea markets yesterday.
“This is an effort to support local, legitimate businesses who have complained of these individuals selling bogus merchandise,” Interim Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said of the sweep last night.
“Over the course of several months, we targeted individual selling counterfeit goods and counterfeit intellectual property. Our investigation culminated with the arrests of over 40 people involved in selling these illicit items,” he said. “In recent history, I believe this is probably the largest raid in Massachusetts involving counterfeit goods.”
The raids began at about 11 a.m. yesterday and lasted through late afternoon. The raids took place at Don Flea Market at 85 Manchester St., and Lawrence Flea Market and Auction House at 468 N. Canal St, near the Falls Bridge, according to Fitzpatrick. The Police Department used several vans, some of them loaned by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, to transport the defendants to the Lawrence Police Department, where they were being booked last night.
Fitzpatrick said he believed that most of those charged were from out of town.
“The Department of Homeland Security was the lead with Lawrence Police Department,” said Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokeswoman for Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.
“We were part of the investigation and we will prosecute,” she said.
Police referred all comments on the raid to federal authorities. Calls to the U.S. Attorney’s office and Homeland Security were not returned.
Fitzpatrick said federal agents planned to wait until tomorrow before issuing a press release about yesterday’s raids.
“There’s a great deal of evidence that needs to be cataloged,” Fitzpatrick said of the items seized. Some of the counterfeit items sold were fake lines of clothing, he said.
Because a f**e coach purse is a danger to america. Way to go dept of homeland security. Now find those sketchy rolodex watches masquerading as rolex because they can be dangerous too. What a bunch of fucking idiots. Our taxes pay for this.
Yep. They busted the sweet lady near me who sold the bootleg dvds recently.
Lawless bunch
If I’m on a jury and the case involves the Feds meddling in local or state business I guarantee I will find in favor of the defendant. It’s legal and the right thing to do. When the Feds over reach that far it’s up to citizens in jury’s to protect the individuals. Otherwise you or I will be next. They only know how to escalate and its up to us to put our foot down.
Wtf! When is that Home Land Security?
Makes perfect sense, since obama won’t let them track Muslim terrorists!!!
It is a violation of copyright and interstate commerce to peddle goods purporting to be a name brand, or incorporating features of the copyright . The DHS, HOWEVER was hoping to find something other than claimed.
Never seen that at a flea market ! Do they catch a lot of terrorists there ?
Good they should go after people that sell counterfeit goods! It doesn’t matter whether it’s a flea market or on a street corner, it’s still not right
Seriously? They have nothing better to do? Maybe patrol the southern border?