16K Fake Hermes Handbags Seized At Port Of LA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — More than 16,000 counterfeit Hermes handbags have been seized by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers, officials announced Thursday.

The fake purses were seized in nine shipments from June 6 through Sept. 17 at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport complex.

"Their combined domestic value of $295,665 contrasted to the manufacturer suggested retail price of $210,785,475 had they been genuine, illustrates the potentially high profit margins in such an illegal venture," Lee Harty with the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security  said.

Additional details were scheduled to be released Thursday morning.