Chinese authorities in the Anhui Province have destroyed 500,000 pairs of counterfeit sneakers. In all, the haul was worth approximately $87.5 million.
According to china.org.cn, the investigation began back in December 2015 when police in the city of Bengbu were given a tip that fake Converse were being manufactured in the city and sold in the Middle East. A month-long investigation ensued that ultimately led to the discovery of a factory. The location reportedly housed hundreds of shoemakers and nine production lines.
This led to police arresting 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.
A similar situation occurred earlier this month when close to $2 million worth of fake Nikes were seized at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York.
