WARREN (WWJ) -- The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has charged seven people who've allegedly been selling counterfeit designer goods at a flea market in Warren.
In May 2022, the Warren Police Special Investigations Unit began investigating reports tips about bogus designer goods being sold at the County Line Trade Center on Dequindre Rd., just north of 8 Mile Rd.
In June, prosecutors said police conducted surveillance and identified four kiosks selling counterfeit designer items from brands including but not limited to Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Chanel, Coach, Armani, MCM, Ferragamo, and Ray-Ban. Search warrants were executed at all four of the kiosks as well as two homes.
In total police seized 379 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items, 1,643 other counterfeit designer brand items, and over $100,000 in cash.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said they used undercover officers as part of what was described as a "large-scale investigation."
"It's consumer fraud that's being committed," he said. "And certainly we want to address that, especially with the information we have, the intel we have as far as where the money is going, quite frankly."
In a statement, Dwyer commended Sgt. Craig Bankowski and the entire Warren PD Special Investigations Unit for their work.
"The Warren Police Department will continue to take a proactive approach to investigate any type of consumer fraud committed in the City of Warren," Dwyer said. "We will continue working with our county, state, and federal partners for successful prosecutions in these types of cases.”
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Prosecutor Pete Lucido said these types of crimes take away from merchandise authenticity and deceive the public and those who rely on genuine authentic products. The facts are that we are all "misled and cheated" by these counterfeit products, he added.
The following people were arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Counterfeit Property, a 5-year felony.: Mohammed Salam, Ibrahim Salam, Madlen Khosho, Danny Khosho, Annie Butler, Maysam Jaber and Basem Jaber.
Mohammed Salam received a $20,000 personal bond.
Bond for the other six defendants, all arraigned on Tuesday, was set at $10,000.
Authorities say they aren't done with the investigation and more charges could yet be filed.