Call it “Bad Toy Story”.
Federal agents in New York today arrested five people on charges of importing hazardous and counterfeit toys from China – among them knock-off products emblazoned with images of popular film and TV characters, such as Spiderman, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tweety Bird, and Mickey Mouse, officials said.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents say those charged live primarily in Queens and they were charged with importing and trafficking hazardous toys in violation of the US Consumer Product Safety Act.
Brooklyn federal prosecutors say that over the past six years, the toys were illegally shipped from China to New York City, where various companies sold them from a storefront and warehouse in Ridgewood, Queens, as well as at additional retail locations in Brooklyn and Queens.
Some smuggled toys also featured unlicensed images of other pop culture icons, such as Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer, Betty Boop, as well characters from Cars, High School Musical, and Toy Story, officials said.
During searches this morning of a warehouse and two residences, agents seized several bank accounts and confiscated a Porsche and Lexus, which the feds say were paid for by sales of the dangerous toys.
“For years, the defendants sought to enrich themselves by importing and selling dangerous and counterfeit children’s toys without regard for the law or the health of our children,” said Loretta Lynch, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
“Profits from the counterfeit items, as well as toys riddled with lead and choking hazards, went to provide the defendants with luxury cars,” Lynch said.
Those charged are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Brooklyn federal court.
mmaddux@nypost.com