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Second Sting at Florence Flea Market Nets Four New Arrests

8/8/2009
A second sting at the Florence Flea Market on Saturday, August 8, 2009 resulted in the arrest of four more vendors, the seizure of over $325,000 in counterfeit goods, 6 vehicles and $3,800 in cash. Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Florence City Police and the Office of the Secretary of State conducted the operation, the second at the Flea Market in a three-week period.   Soloman Joseph Johnson of Raleigh, NC,  Dramane Sacko of Cincinnati, OH, Terrance Alford of Dillon, SC, and Bazoumana Sangare of Atlanta, GA, were arrested and charged with violation of S.C. Code Section 39-15-1190(B)(1), theunauthorized use of or trafficking in goods with counterfeit trademarks, a felony under South Carolina law. If convicted, the subjects could be fined up to $25,000.00 and/or sentenced up to up to 5 years in prison.

Among the items seized were articles of clothing, hats, belts, handbags and other accessories, as well as more than 1,700 pairs of shoes.

The counterfeit items bore the bogus trademarks of such well-known manufactures as Nike, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabanna, Coogi, Black Label Shirts, Akademiks, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Ed Hardy. In addition, over 250 counterfeit DVDs were confiscated. Vehicles used to transport the items were also seized under provisions of the law. 

“This operation shows our continuing commitment to work with other agencies to protect legitimate property rights of the manufacturers of these products,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. “Consumers, businesses, inventors, artists and children in foreign sweat shops where these items are made are the true victims of these crimes.”

Secretary of State Mark Hammond said “Counterfeiters do not pay taxes, meaning less money, in this instance for Florence County schools, hospitals, parks and other social programs.” Secretary Hammond also stated, “I commend the efforts of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office to protect intellectual property rights and to protect the citizens in this state, and I am pleased that the trademark legislation will provide tougher penalties for theses types of crimes.”

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