Watch CBS News

Thousands Of Hoverboards Authorities Say Are Unsafe Confiscated In City Of Industry

CITY OF INDUSTRY (CBSLA.com) — Thousands of hoverboards have been confiscated by authorities who say they counterfeit and unsafe.

A team of deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department raided a warehouse in the City of Industry after obtaining a search warrant.

Once there, they found 4,000 counterfeit hoverboards with a retail value of $1.5 million, according to the LASD.

Investigators say the boards aren't made according to safety standards though they are branded with the letters "UL", which represents a company that tests and certifies the safety of products.

Deputies say Underwriters Laboratories or UL confirmed it has not safety tested or certified any electronic components of any hoverboards.

"The issue with these hoverboards is that they have the UL trademark, which would indicate that this product has been safety tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories and that's not the case," said Lt. Geoff Deedrick of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators say the boards are unsafe and their batteries could catch fire.

The boards were being sold on the Internet.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with more information was asked to dial (323) 219-3959.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.