Initiative Nets $143 Million in Cisco Goods

(DHS-ICE)

Operation Network Raider, a domestic and international enforcement initiative targeting the illegal distribution of counterfeit network hardware manufactured in China, has resulted in 30 felony convictions and more than 700 seizures of counterfeit Cisco network hardware and labels with an estimated retail value of more than $143 million.

The results of the operation were announced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Alan Bersin, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer and Assistant FBI Cyber Division Director Gordon Snow.

In addition to the convictions and seizures, CBP reports a 75 percent decrease in seizures of counterfeit network hardware at U.S. borders from 2008 to 2009. Nine individuals are currently facing trial and another eight defendants are awaiting sentencing. Read more here.