New Bedford Man Caught Selling Counterfeit NFL Jerseys

New Bedford Police bust a counterfeit merchandise scheme in the city. According to Det. Capt. Steve Vicente, police learned that a New Bedford resident was receiving steady shipments to his home from Hong Kong, with the invoices labeled as t-shirts. Upon further investigation, detectives learned the shipments were actually counterfeit NFL jerseys, being sold online.

Police obtained a warrant and arrested 46-year-old Arthur Tavares at his Rutland Street apartment in New Bedford Monday afternoon. Police also seized 500 counterfeit jerseys, several pairs of UGG Boots, and over $4,000 in cash.

If they were authentic, the jerseys would have been worth over $50,000.

Tavares was arraigned this morning on one count of possession with intent to distribute over 100 counterfeit items, a felony that could carry a five year sentence.