Los Angeles: On August 18, 2005, at about 4:00 p.m., Central Area Vice in conjunction with private investigators from Investigative Consultants served a search warrant for counterfeit merchandise at a business located in the 1100 block of South Los Angeles Street. 

Investigative Consultants conducted surveillance of the business for about one month before they contacted Central Area Vice.  Investigators from Central Vice conducted an on-site investigation to verify information received from Investigative Consultants.  During the undercover surveillance, two purchases were made and properly identified as counterfeit trademark merchandise in violation of several name brands.  A search warrant was conducted as a result of the information gathered from the Investigative Consultants and Central Area Vice.

During the investigation, Central Area Vice and private investigators confiscated several hundred counterfeit name brand handbags, purses and a Rolex watch.  Investigative Consultants estimated the counterfeit merchandise to have street value of 18 million dollars.  Over $11,000 in cash was seized.  The investigators also recovered hundreds of designer name plates that were put on the counterfeit handbags and purses to make them look authentic.

As a result of this investigation, Detectives arrested 48-year-old Jahangir Sinaie for selling counterfeit merchandise.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Sergeant Acosta, Officer-in-Charge, Central Area Vice at 213-972-1273.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).