'Good Morning America' recently went undercover with agents in North Carolina to film a flea market sting to catch vendors hawking counterfeit items such as purses, shoes, electronics and dvds. The segment, which aired this morning, touted Secretary of State Elaine Marshall's "aggressive" stance against counterfeiters in the state. They never identified where the flea market was located (it didn't look like Raleigh) but did say Sgt. Henry King of the Rocky Mount Police Department headed up Operation Faux Pas, which used police officers from across the state.
Update: It's most definitely not Raleigh, as confirmed by the State Fair Grounds Flea Market folks.
You can watch the segment below.
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Comments
Stockyard?
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 21:32 — udontknowIt looks like Rocky Mount Stockyard, off Church Street. It would make sense because they just had a major bust there 2 weeks ago, and the bulk of the police were Rocky Mount officers.
I remember when Elaine
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 20:46 — Joseph_L_CookeI remember when Elaine Marshall was a correct answer on my Notory Public test.
Republicans
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 17:09 — gamilicadFlea Market Sting
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 15:59 — wek41Yes indeed, the Republican Party loves flea market sales as it offers an opportunity to sell illegal knock-off items .
Many of these operations are run by Republican supporters and leadership people especially linked to Tea Party members. How do you think they raise money and socialize with lots of other folks who don't want to pay taxes and would rather not have the government investigate and prosecute the knock-off artists ?
Its a big scam promoted by the Republican Party which would rather not have the government able to properly tax licensed,original designer goods.
Watch out for these people !
Go Elaine!
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:19 — RonBThis is why Elaine Marshall should be the junior US Senator from our state. She actually does her job.
I thought it might be the Rock Quarry Road flea market, but there was too much grass and fields around there. There have been raids in the past, but it is difficult now as there is a line and spotters right at the entrance.
Of course some people can not make the connection between counterfit goods and jobs lost across North Carolina. They continue to put blind faith in the Republican party as the GOP returns the favor by selling access to the highest bidder.
It would be nice if the GOP's business with sweepstakes and lottery officials behind closed doors in the peoples' legislative building was investigated, but who are we kidding?
Yes, not just fake purses
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 14:48 — brookecain (author)I think one reason they didn't identify the location of the flea market is because they said there was a "secret warehouse" nearby where they store the confiscated goods. Some yahoo would be out there tonight trying to break in!
They also make the point in the report that the counterfeiters often sell fake prescriptions and cosmetics, which can hurt or kill people. I've also heard of blackmarket baby formula that is pretty awful. Some may scoff at the idea of chasing counterfeiters, but if they are ripping off something *you* put your backbone and resources into making, or taking *your* job, it's a big deal. Plus, this counterfeiting business funds some pretty nefarious characters, which the GMA report only hinted at. This is a huge problem all over the country, and it was nice to see this national report coming out of NC. Glad we're doing something about it.
I feel better...
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:36 — GabsbyKnowing law enforcement is taking these "dangerous" individuals off the street. Only Lord knows how much damage & chaos they would have caused selling those fake dvd's & pocketbooks. I mean can fake golf equipment be that far behind? Heaven forbid...Kudo's to Elaine and the gang though...You caught the "tater" as Ron White would put it.
Mean-while corruption runs wild in Govt where backroom or bathroom deals (remember Mr Black?) are considered to be all in a days work while taking poor Joe/Jane taxpayer to the cleaners.
What do you expect
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 17:38 — nchurricanesThe Secretary of State to do about things like Jim Black?? She has no authority in that area. She has no authority to stop any bath and/or back room deals that are done in state government
At least she's performing the oversight duties that ARE within her authority, unlike some other state offices.
I especially loved the scene
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:08 — anonymous2010I especially loved the scene where the flea market patrons started stealing the stuff when the counterfeiters were being arrested. "I thought it was free". That is the most telling comment of the entire video.
Looks like a wilson flea market
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 10:48 — arthurb3Looks like a wilson flea market