TORONTO -- Police say a massive counterfeiting probe spanning across Canada and the United States has left 21 people facing more than 100 charges.
Investigators say 13 locations in southern Ontario -- including several in Toronto -- were raided as part of Project PACE, which stands for Partners Against Counterfeiting Everywhere.
In a news conference at Toronto police headquarters, Det. Derek Wilson said thousands of counterfeit items worth an estimated $6.5 million were seized in the sweep.
They include clothes, cosmetics, electronics, prescription drugs and TTC tokens.
Charges against the accused include fraud, possession for the purpose of trafficking in stolen goods and possession of property obtained by crime.
Officers from the RCMP, Canadian border services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and police from York, Peel and Durham Regions were also involved in the investigation.
Police are warning consumers to avoid buying counterfeit goods, which they say pose serious health and safety risks and fund international organized crime and terrorist groups.
