2018 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2018

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State Police Arrest Two Men and Seize more than $1 Million in Counterfeit Designer Merchandise

Atlantic City, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police have arrested Mohammad Usman, 35, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., and Kashif Ansari, 32, of Atlantic City, N.J., for allegedly selling counterfeit designer merchandise out of several stores on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

After a two-month investigation led by the Interstate Theft South Unit, detectives determined that Usman and Ansari were selling counterfeit merchandise in various stores on the boardwalk.

On Thursday, August 16, members of the State Police Interstate Theft South Unit, with assistance from the Atlantic City Metro Task Force Unit, Homeland Security Investigation – Cherry Hill Office, and Atlantic City Police Department executed search warrants at various stores on the boardwalk and arrested Usman and Ansari, which resulted in the seizure of more than $1 million worth of counterfeit designer merchandise.

“The sale of counterfeit designer merchandise cheats consumers, harms honest retailers, and results in major losses for the retail industry,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. “Atlantic City is an important entertainment destination and these efforts to root out counterfeit merchandise help keep it consumer-friendly.”

“Working with the State Police and additional partners, we regularly prosecute cases involving counterfeit goods and cargo theft, both of which disrupt commerce and ultimately harm consumers,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “I commend all of the agencies that collaborated to achieve this major seizure of alleged counterfeit goods and bring charges against these two merchants.”

“The sale and purchase of counterfeit goods is not only a crime against the consumer, but it can potentially cripple the retail industry as a whole,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “A seizure of this magnitude could not have been made possible without the unwavering efforts of the Interstate Theft South Unit detectives in collaboration with our law enforcement partners.”

Mohammad Usman and Kashif Ansari were charged with criminal simulation and trademark counterfeiting. They were released pending a future court date.

The case will be prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. 

Charges are mere accusations and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Photo of Mohammad Usman

Mohammad Usman

Photo of Kashif Ansari

Kashif Ansari

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