NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Sept. 4 /CNW/ - The Hamilton/Niagara Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Federal Enforcement Section concluded an investigation into a local business in Niagara Falls. The RCMP seized approximately 1000 items of fake versions of Chanel, Coach, Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Gucci. Wednesday, the RCMP with the assistance of Niagara Regional Police raided a store (Classic Smoke and Jewelry) in the popular tourist area of Clifton Hill. It is alleged that counterfeit goods were being distributed and offered for a sale ranging from $10 to $100 for items such as jewelry, purses, shoes, jeans and other haute couture. Similar genuine products sold through legitimate shops retail at up to $2,500.00, according to Chanel.

"The distribution of counterfeit goods is a serious, worldwide problem that hurts not only the people who make the products and legitimate retailers, but also consumers who end up with bad quality counterfeit items. The stores that sell these fakes cause collateral damage to the integrity of legitimate retailers in the Niagara Falls area who depend on the tourist industry for their livelihood." says Inspector Steve Martin.

Charged are Farhan BILLOO (age 21) and Osman BILLOO (age 23) both of Niagara Falls, Ontario with unlawfully offer for sale or hire, infringing copies of works in which copyright subsists Contrary to the Copyright Act of Canada and Fraud, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, contrary to the Criminal Code.

Both are scheduled to appear at the Niagara Falls Court on December 2nd, 2009.

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