U.S. Customs and Border Control seized more than one million fake erectile dysfunction pills at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Courtesy photo.

Authorities recently seized counterfeit products arriving in shipments from China that, if genuine, would be worth more than $32 million, including more than one million erectile dysfunction pills, along with footwear, belts, purses and headphones, officials said today.

The items were seized in cargo containers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport complex, said Jaime Ruiz of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

U.S. Customs and Border Control seized counterfeit goods worth $32 million at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Courtesy photo.

“Commercial piracy and product counterfeiting undermine the U.S. economy, rob Americans of jobs, stifle American innovation and promote other types of crimes,” said David A. Prince, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles.

Criminals are exploiting e-commerce platforms to sell counterfeit and often dangerous goods to unwitting holiday shoppers, said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, in coordination with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Illicit Pharmaceutical and Counterfeit Unit.

Every year, CBP seizes millions of counterfeit goods from countries around the world as part of its mission to protect U.S. businesses and consumers, officials said.

“Counterfeiters are focused on making a profit; they are not focused on consumer safety,” said Donald R. Kusser, CBP Port Director of the LA/Long Beach Seaport. “Buying counterfeit goods can expose you and your family to health and safety risks while the proceeds support criminal enterprises.”

Nationwide in Fiscal Year 2020, CBP has seized 26,503 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights. The total estimated value of the seized goods, had they been genuine, was nearly $1.3 billion.