31 May $1 million in fake shoes and purses seized from Baton Rouge store
A 43-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested Thursday and charged with the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods during a raid in which agents seized $1 million in fake designer shoes and purses, according to the Louisiana attorney general’s office. The U.S. Office of Homeland Security and the state’s attorney general’s office conducted a sweep at Fashion Express, 5956 Airline Highway.
Bocar Ba, of 11888 Old Hammond Highway, was arrested.
Agents seized 3,082 fake designer shoes and purses with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1 million in the raid, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said.
Among the items were fake Nike shoes, and bogus Louis Vuitton, Prada and Coach merchandise.
“Once again, this illustrates my commitment to maintaining a level playing field for our good Louisiana businesses,” Caldwell said. “There are unscrupulous individuals out there selling everything from fake handbags to prescription medicines. Counterfeit goods seriously harm our legitimate Louisiana businesses and often endanger the safety of our citizens. Such criminal activity will not be tolerated.”