Metro

5 Queens, NJ residents charged with distributing counterfeit goods

Long Island authorities say five people have been arrested and charged with arranging and importing counterfeit merchandise from China for distribution throughout the United States.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Thursday that investigators seized truckloads of counterfeit handbags, apparel and other knockoffs. He says the defendants stored the counterfeit goods, fake logos, machinery and plates used to make and attach the fake logos in storage facilities in Queens.

He said the defendants distributed to resellers who sold the counterfeit goods in the New York metropolitan and throughout the U.S., including Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Georgia and California.

The defendants were charged with enterprise corruption, trademark counterfeiting, conspiracy and money laundering.

Four of them resided in Little Neck, Queens. One was from Rutherford, N.J.