U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted more than $1.4 million in counterfeit Pennsylvania vehicle inspection stickers that were en route to Philadelphia from Israel, federal authorities announced last week.
The seizure included approximately 22,000 fake stickers, distributed across two separate shipments.
The first parcel contained 10,000 stickers and arrived on Nov. 26, authorities said.
The second parcel had 12,000 stickers and was intercepted on Dec. 9, authorities said.
After suspecting the authenticity of the inspection stickers, customs officers detained both shipments and found they were counterfeit, authorities said.
With confirmation from state officials, the counterfeit stickers were officially seized on Dec. 16.
No arrests have been made in connection with the counterfeit stickers.
Pennsylvania law mandates annual vehicle inspections to verify adherence to mechanical, safety, and emissions standards. Vehicle owners facing expensive repairs often opt for counterfeit stickers at a lower price. However, penalties for using fake stickers can include a fine of up to $500 and potential imprisonment.
“Unscrupulous actors peddling fraudulent vehicle inspection stickers create a very serious public safety concern. Fake inspection stickers mask unsafe motor vehicles that place all motorists on our roadways in harm,” said Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr.,U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s area port director for the Philadelphia region. “Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to seize illicit and illegal products that could be harmful to consumers and the public when we encounter them.”
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