CBP seizes counterfeit watches worth more than $54M at Port of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A shipment of counterfeit watches worth more than $54 million was seized Thursday, June 18, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Louisville.

According to a CBP news release, the shipment contained 375 counterfeit watches and was headed from Hong Kong to a residence in New York.

Officials said the watches, which bore Audemars Piguet branding, were counterfeit and were seized.

"Intellectual property theft threatens America's economic vitality and funds criminal activities and organized crime," Louisville Port Director Philip Onken said in a news release. "Our officers protect private industry and consumers by removing these kinds of shipments from our commerce."