You’ve heard of drug and bomb sniffing dogs – but what about Gucci sniffing dogs? These K-9 dogs are amazing. They can be trained to sniff out just about anything, and if you have to sniff things for a living, why not leather? It smells good.
Maryland police said that on the evening of Monday, Dec. 19, a trooper stopped a Chevrolet passenger van for negligent driving and speeding on southbound Route 113 at the intersection of Route 50 near Berlin, Maryland.
The trooper observed cargo in the rear of the van and also observed numerous criminal indicators that led him to believe that criminal activity was in play. Police said a probable cause search was conducted, revealing all seats had been removed and the cargo area filled with miscellaneous counterfeit merchandise, Gucci purses, Prada purses, Coach purses, UGG boots, Louis Vuitton, Rocawear, Dolce Gabbana, and other brands.
The total value of all of the counterfeit merchandise was estimated at more than $167,000.
Richard Logue, a recognized trademark expert in the State of Maryland, was contacted by telephone at the scene and assisted in identifying the counterfeit merchandise. As a result of the investigation, police seized the vehicle, counterfeit merchandise and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
Occupants of the van were Derrick Towe, 40, Dwayne Mitchell, 46 and Ronald Brittingham, 45, all of Virginia Beach. Each was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute counterfeit merchandise and jailed at the Worcester County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, according to the MSP. In Maryland, possession with an intent to distribute counterfeit trademarked items valued over $1,000 is a felony.
Sources:knockoffreport
