SAN ANTONIO — The US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) seized several counterfeit items at the Rochester Port of Entry, including fake San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama rookie cards.
According to a press release from the Customs and Border Patrol, officers inspected several shipments containing “designer” clothing items, shoes, handbags, watches, AirPods, and NBA-branded rookie cards.
After examination of the merchandise, it was determined that all the items were not authentic and were seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks.
“CBP plays a vital role in the protection of consumers and businesses from fraudulent products,” said Rochester Port Director Ronald Menz in a release. “Our officers work tirelessly to intercept these fake items that have economic impacts, legal implications and a potential risk to the health and safety of the American consumer.”
“We see these items coming in from all over. From every other country in the world. We’re not seeing like vast majority is coming from this country or the vast majority is coming from that country it’s just from all over,” said Public Affairs Liaison and Program Manager at CBP Jeff Toth said to Rochester First.
According to the CBP, the total value of all items seized was more than $400,000.
Wembanyama cards are hot items, and most are sold for incredible amounts at auctions.
Collectible auction house Goldin recently announced a rookie Wemby White Prizm card with a staggering final sale price of $13,420, which Goldin claims is an all-time sale price in that particular card style.
Also, Wembanyama basketball cards are topping over $1.1 million in eBay sales.
The next time you want to add a Wemby card to your collection, do your due diligence to ensure it is authentic.
If you have information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation.