"
Knockoff-Handbag Raid At Flea Market Nets 3 Arrests"
DERRY, N.H. -- A federal raid of a Derry flea market netted three arrests on charges of trafficking counterfeit goods. Federal investigators and local authorities raided the Grandview Flea Market at about 8 a.m. Saturday, where they said vendors sold knockoffs of high-priced designer handbags.
Police closed the flea market, prompting widespread traffic jams near Route 28 in Derry. Hundreds of people from around New England drove for miles to purchase the bags, officials said.
WMUR News 9's Aaron Kellogg reported that confused shoppers pulled over outside the flea market, asking why police blocked the entry gates. Kellogg said parts of Derry looked like a scene out of a fashion magazine with women everywhere holding knockoff designer bags, wondering what to do next after police told them to stay away.
Alyson Silverman drove an hour and a half and 56 miles from Weymouth, Mass., only to get turned away.
She bought an imitation coach bag for just $10. A similar one online cost nearly $400.
"I'm so upset, my kids are upset," she said. "You had to wait for people to get out of the way so you could get a bag."
"I just think it's really disappointing," said Toni Brown, of Brockton, Mass. "It stops hard-working citizens like us -- as hard as times are with the inflation -- (from) just getting a good deal here or there."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Zuckerman said the three men arrested in the raid would appear in federal court in Concord on Saturday afternoon.
"The value of those products gets diluted by people who are using counterfeit trademarks," Zuckerman said.
Federal authorities identified the men arrested as Guo Qiao Lin, 32, and Peng de Lin, 35, both of Flushing, N.Y.; and Junwu Chen, 40, of Woodside, N.Y.
Investigators said the men sold hundreds of handbags, wallets and accessories that looked like designer brands Prada, Gucci, Louis Vutton and more. If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in prison and $2 million in fines.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------