LAREDO (December 12, 2012)--Thousands of counterfeit Swiss designer watches confiscated at a Texas border crossing would be worth $83 million if they were real.
On Wednesday U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of about 7,800 watches from a truck that was searched at the World Trade Bridge, which links Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Customs experts on Oct. 25 determined the watches infringed on the trademark of Audemars Piguet.
The items were seized Oct. 29.
CBP's Laredo port director Sidney Aki says the seizure is believed to be the largest in port history in terms of manufacturer's suggested retail price.
A similar seizure of 4,200 counterfeit Swiss watches on June 29 at the same border crossing yielded timepieces with a $28 million retail value, if real.
