80 percent of all articles seized by European Union custom agents in 2006 originated from China
Source: European Union, “2006 customs seizures of counterfeit goods - Frequently Asked Questions,” Press Release, May 31, 2007, (accessed: June 18, 2007).
$40 million counterfeit sports goods seized in 2004
Source: Dave Battagello, ” Counterfeit goods a growing threat, ” Windsor Star, May 3, 2005.
41 percent of seizures in FY2006 were counterfeit shoes
Counterfeit shoes accounted for 41 percent of all seizures made in Fiscal Year 2006 by United States Immigration and Custom Agents.
Source: “Counterfeit goods seizures up 83% in FY 2006: DHS made 14,675 seizures, worth more than $155 million,” U.S.Immigration and Custom Enforcement, January 11, 2007.
108 percent increase in illegal fishing activites in the US
In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration opened 750 investigations into illegal fishing activities during the 2006 fiscal year in the Northeast region alone, an increase of 108 percent from 5 years ago.
Source: Associated Press, ” Federal agents try to staunch tidal wave of illegal seafood,” International Herald Tribune, April 28, 2007.
Only 12 tonnes of illegal cavier seizures in 5 years
The Independent reported that ” EU countries imported 591 tonnes of caviar in 2006, but seizures of illegal caviar between 2000 and 2005 totaled just 12 tonnes.”
Source: Martin Hickman, ” British restaurants using black market caviar,” The Independent, July 26, 2007.
Average of 1,400 people from Cuba seized in waters
Every year since 2000, the United States Coast Guard has intercepted more than 1,400 people attempting to cross the Florida Straits to gain entry into the United States.
Source: Warren Richey, “As Castro heals,Cuba’s people smugglers get back to business,” Christian Science Monitor, August 18, 2006,(accessed: August 23, 2006).
90 percent of smuggled cigarettes seized in 2002 were counterfeit
Source: Phillip Morris International Inc., “Confronting cigarette contraband,” October 2003,(last accessed: March 22, 2008).
3 ivory seizures a day worldwide
According to a report by TRAFFIC, “Worldwide, the number of ivory seizures averages 92 cases a month - or three per day.”
Source: WWF, “Organized crime fuels illegal ivory surege in Africa,” Press Release, May 10, 2007, http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=102180 (accessed: May 11, 2007).
