61-year-old Woman Gets Probation, House Arrest & Fines for Importing Counterfeit Cosmetics
A New Jersey woman was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home confinement and a $44,215.50 fine on charges of trafficking in counterfeit M·A·C cosmetics and accessory items, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE said Lynn Lavigne, 61, of Vineland, NJ, received the cosmetics from a supplier in China, and continued buying and selling the cosmetics after repeated notices by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol that the merchandise was counterfeit and subject to forfeiture.
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Investigation Began After Customer Developed Rash from Counterfeit Cosmetics
According to ICE, the investigation began in August 2010 after police received a complaint about the cosmetics that Lavigne was selling at a local flea market. The complainant had purchased some M·A·C brand eyeliner and suffered a rash on her left eyelid within minutes of using the product, and suspected the eyeliner may have been counterfeit based on its substantially reduced purchase price.
Cosmetics Bought from China; Trafficker Ignored Several Notices from CBP
ICE said the investigation revealed that Lavigne was receiving M·A·C brand cosmetics from a supplier in China. On at least five different occasions between 2009 and 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized shipments of counterfeit M·A·C cosmetics addressed to her Vineland, NJ, address.
As a result of those seizures, according to ICE, Lavigne received notices from CBP putting her on notice that the merchandise was counterfeit and subject to forfeiture. Lavigne admitted that despite receiving notices from CBP regarding the seized counterfeit products, she elected to continue buying and selling counterfeit cosmetics from her supplier in China until the subsequent operation and seizure by HSI special agents at her flea market stand.