$87 Million Worth of Fake Sneakers Destroyed in China

500,000 pairs destroyed!

Authorities in the Anhui Province of China have destroyed half a million pairs of counterfeit sneakers, said to be have a market value of approximately $87.5 million.

According to china.org.cn, the investigation began way back in December 2015, when police in the city of Bengbu were given a tip that fake Converse kicks were being manufactured in their locale, before being shipped off to the Middle East for sale.

The month-long investigation ensued that ultimately led to the discovery of a factory. The location reportedly housed hundreds of shoemakers and nine production lines.

The discovery lead police to arrest four suspects, destroying the factory, and seizing 500,000 pairs of fake Converse and Vans. Further investigations in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang led to an additional seven arrests and the destruction of five additional factories producing counterfeit goods.

This cooincides with a Stateside fake-bust from earlier this month, when close to $2 million worth of fake Nikes were seized at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York.