DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — It was no joke! Shoppers at a metro Atlanta mall may have noticed an increased police presence on April 1 as officers carried out a large-scale operation targeting fake merchandise.
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Douglasville police, along with Douglas County deputies, served search warrants at 16 different locations inside Arbor Place Mall, including both retail stores and kiosks.
Police said the operation stemmed from an extensive undercover investigation. During that time, investigators purchased what they described as ‘forged’, counterfeit and unauthorized reproductions from multiple businesses inside the shopping center.
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Authorities said the items involved include jewelry, clothing, sunglasses, cell phone accessories, and other merchandise.
Officers served the warrants on Wednesday to confiscate any more fake products that may have been in retailers’ possession.
The DPD said decisions on possible criminal charges against store owners or operators will be made at a later time.
“This type of criminal activity has become commonplace in cities across the United States,” the department said in a statement.
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