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Feds In NJ: 29 Arrests Made In $325 Million Counterfeit Goods Operation

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Those knock-off Ugg boots, Nike sneakers and Louis Vuitton bags are going to be little more hard to find.

More than two dozen people were charged Friday in what is being calling one of the largest counterfeit goods operations ever, federal officials in New Jersey said.

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U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said 29 arrests have been made in New Jersey, New York, Texas and the Philippines.

"It's huge. It's one of the largest counterfeit goods cases ever -- maybe the largest ever investigated in this district and...one of the largest ever prosecuted in the country," Fishman told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Al Jones.

Fishman said the goods didn't include just clothing like Coach and Gucci handbags, Timberland boots and Polo sweatshirts, but "counterfeit cigarettes and pure crystal methamphetamine."

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The defendants allegedly attempted to smuggle $325 million worth of phony goods from China through Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal in Elizabeth.

The investigation is ongoing.

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