Second Counterfeit Raid in Catoosa in Two Days

September 11, 2007 - 6:20 PM

For the second day in a row, agents uncover millions of dollars worth of counterfeit merchandize in Catoosa County.

Local and federal agents raided a storage facility on Highway 41 inside the Catoosa County line. They say they found another 3-5 million dollars worth of fake designer sneakers and high-end handbags.

Sheriff Phil Summers says this is one of three facilities searched today across the county. Agents executed search warrants at three storage facilities and mini-warehouses in Catoosa County and Ringgold.

These raids are on top of the 10-20 million dollars of goods found yesterday at a warehouse on Cloud Springs Road.

The man police say was operating that warehouse, Qiu Yi Zhang, is said to be the same man who is the lease-holder on the storage facilities raided today. Altogether, five Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with the counterfeit ring. Black says the charges are likely going to become federal. All five could also face deportation orders.

Fort Oglethorpe Police Chief Larry Black says most of the products were being re-sold for profit at private purse parties and at area flea markets.