Insane Photos And Videos From Yesterday's Massive Police Raid At Pacific Mall In Markham
At 12 PM yesterday, a squad of about thirty Toronto police officers busted into Pacific Mall outside of Toronto and seized thousands of counterfeit items, from clothes to iPhone accessories. Pacific Mall is one of the largest Asian shopping centres in Canada, with over 500 stores and 100 market vendors.
The raid was part of a months-long investigation into the counterfeit merchandise scene at Pacific Mall, after the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative included the mall on a list of "notorious markets" for counterfeit goods.
Retailers of counterfeit items may be subject to criminal charges in Canada, punishable by $1 million in fines or five years in prison.
Photos and videos of the raid show cops shutting down stores with caution tape, searching racks of clothing, and walking out with boxes and boxes of items.
Here are some of the most intense moments from yesterday's raid, captured by witnesses and media at the scene.
Police removing boxes of items from one of the 7 stores targeted by raids at Markham’s Pacific Mall as part of ‘Project Knock Off’. Investigators taking counterfeit goods. pic.twitter.com/u0YkulTTeM
Investigators are currently executing search warrants at various retailers located in Pacific Mall in Markham as part of an investigation into counterfeit goods. pic.twitter.com/DC1bnwsykU
LOL 👮 My 1st visit to #PacificMall in a about a year & popo raiding it 😄 That means I won't be able to get that $300 Sonny 4K TV or $100 Jordanes sneakers #Toronto #Markham pic.twitter.com/IJZD17Ca4S
YRP executed search warrants at #PacificMall in #Markham for counterfeit goods. Several shops were raided after multiple warnings. @CityNews pic.twitter.com/DIO4RVH7zr
What happens when there is fire at pacific mall when so many of the exits look like this 😱 @markhamfire @cityofmarkham pic.twitter.com/DcL39UvO3r
#Pacific mall in #Toronto is among the most notorious sources of #pirated and #counterfeit goods in the world. pic.twitter.com/UL0UgVhiig
.@YRP officer remove bags, cell phones and more as Pacific mall raid continues #crime #toronto #Markham @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/9trYvs9mW8
The first four stores raided by York Regional Police as part of ‘Project Knock Off’ targeting counterfeit goods at Pacific Mall in Markham. pic.twitter.com/YYaoq4PHKc