ORLANDO, Fla. — Federal investigators raided a store at the Magic Mall on West Colonial Drive (see map) on Thursday. It looks like the feds were after purses.
Dozens of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents swarmed the Magic Mall. Inside, they found thousands of allegedly fake designer goods, including purses, scarves, sneakers, belts and clothes. They all donned designer labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Michael Kors and Prada.
Agents are concerned the items violate intellectual property laws.
WFTV found a Chanel bag online that sells for more than $1,500, but at the Magic Mall a similar bag costs just $30.
Federal agents are concerned some of the items could pose health risks to the public, especially items like perfume. So they go after all name-brand knock-offs to keep those harmful products off the streets.
Gloria Ferrand shops at the mall almost weekly. She said she's not surprised federal agents were there.
"It happens. It happens everywhere. Not just here, everywhere," she said.
In 2009, ICE launched more than 1,400 intellectual property investigations nationwide. They arrested 414 people and seized $62-million in counterfeit merchandise.
Agents wouldn't say how much Thursday's raid netted, but workers at the Magic Mall said the owners of the store were selling thousands of items each week.
Federal agents didn't make any arrests in Thursday' raid.