Shoppers and vendors alike at Keller’s Flea Market off Hwy. 17 in Savannah were in for a surprise Saturday when dozens of law enforcement officers raided the market for counterfeit merchandise.
According to a press release from the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department, more than 1,000 items believed to be counterfeit were seized from vendors at the market as part of an ongoing investigation.
The raid began around 11:30 a.m., when more than 35 officers, working with a representative of various name-brand companies, spread out over the flea market and were able to shut down 10 booths simultaneously, according to Sgt. George Gundich.
Christopher Babatunde Salami, 34, of Palm Coast, Fla., and Amal Abdel Hassan, 36, of Ormond Beach, Fla., were arrested and charged with forged or reproduction or sale of counterfeit trademark merchandise. Other arrests are expected to follow.
Officers seized most of the counterfeit items from the booths on Saturday. Seized items included purses, cell phone covers, sunglasses and items with Disney, Marvel or Warner Brothers labels.
The items are being stored in a warehouse until the investigation is complete, at which time the items will be destroyed.