Coolers With Stereos Bound For Minneapolis Seized At Border

PORTAL, ND — A rail container bound for Minneapolis from Canada held hundreds of counterfeit coolers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors.

Officers working at the Portal, North Dakota port of entry discovered the merchandise they said violated intellectual property rights.

The 887 coolers — which featured built-in stereo systems — were seized at the border by federal authorities.

The counterfeit merchandise is worth approximately $170,235 at retail, CPB said.

"Counterfeiting adversely affects intellectual property rights holders by stealing the original ideas and the ability to make a profit from them," Brent Beeter, the Portal port director, said in a statement.

"Consumers are also harmed because manufacturers of counterfeit products have little motivation to use high-quality materials."

Lead image via U.S. Customs and Border Protection