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SECRETARY MILES BUSTS TRADEMARK COUNTERFEITERS IN LARGEST RAID YET NEARLY $400,00 WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE SEIZED, NARCOTICS DISCOVERED MYRTLE BEACH – Secretary of State Jim Miles announced today that agents of his office conducted a raid in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, uncovering and seizing nearly $400,000 worth of counterfeit merchandise from 4 stores along Ocean Boulevard. Investigators also discovered and confiscated narcotics while searching one store’s office. Assisted by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and George Arnold & Associates, an intellectual property investigation firm, the Secretary of State’s office seized jewelry and clothing, ranging from Oakley sunglasses and Rolex watches to Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein T-shirts. "Thursday’s raid was our largest ever," said Secretary Miles. "We are sending a message to vendors of counterfeit goods that their activities will not be tolerated. The sale of this fake merchandise hurts not only legitimate manufacturers and retailers in our state, but the consumer as well, because they’re not getting the quality associated with a trademarked brand."
According to Lt. David Knipes of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, five individuals were arrested and charged with "the intentional use of counterfeit mark or trafficking in goods and services using such mark," which is a violation of South Carolina’s trademark laws, enforced by the Secretary of State. One arrest is still pending, and is expected later this week.
The five individuals arrested include Suresh Nandwani of The Goldmine at 915 N. Ocean Boulevard, Itzhak Edri of The Dead Head Shop at 918 N. Ocean Boulevard, Shmuel Lavan and Erez Sukarchi of Beach Bums at 1002 N. Ocean Boulevard, and Alon Danon of Boulevard Village at 1101 N. Ocean Boulevard. Sukarchi was also charged with unlawful possession of Schedule II drugs. "We would like to commend Lieutenant John Kennedy and his investigators at the MBPD for their assistance and enthusiasm," said Miles, calling them "one of the best groups we’ve ever worked with." Miles added that information provided by an individual arrested several months ago for trademark fraud led his agents to the Ocean Boulevard stores. He also commented that the bust prevented $396,000 worth of counterfeit merchandise from ‘hitting the streets’ that could have been purchased unknowingly by both South Carolina consumers and tourists from outside the state. He warns consumers to "buy from reputable retailers…if you’re getting a brand-name product for a fraction of its usual cost, and it seems too good to be true – it usually is." For more information regarding trademark violations or to register a mark, contact Secretary of State Jim Miles’ office at (803) 734-2170.
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