Norfolk CBP officers seize three shipments of automotive radiators imported using stolen identities

NORFOLK, Va. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers completed the third of three recent seizures on Sept. 22 of automotive radiators that were imported to Norfolk using fraudulent identification.

The two previous shipments were seized on Sept. 15 and Sept. 18. Combined, the three shipments consisted of 1,818 radiators bearing Reach and CarQuest brand names and were valued at $206,513.

CBP officers initially inspected the shipments between July 21 and Aug. 14 after they arrived from China. Officers detected discrepancies in the importation and identification documents and detained the shipments. Officers contacted the brokers and requested additional documentation.

Officers located and contacted the individuals identified as being the importers of record for each shipment. Each denied ordering the commercial goods or operating a business that imports commercial goods.

Nefarious operators use stolen identities of legitimate citizens or businesses and create shell companies to illegally move commercial goods across borders to evade tariffs or smuggle contraband.

CBP officers seized the radiators pursuant to 18 U.S. Code § 542 - Entry of goods by means of false statements.

The shipments were destined to addresses in Los Angeles, Tempe, Ariz., and Loveland, Colo.

Investigations continue.

"Identity theft in commercial imports is a growing concern for Customs and Border Protection and for legitimate businesses, because bad actors are using stolen individual or business identities to smuggle illicit cargo, steal import shipments, or to evade paying customs duties," said Area Port Director Keri Brady, CBP Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News. "CBP will continue to combat transnational crime by intercepting these illicit shipments and working with our law enforcement partners to hold bad actors accountable."

This is not CBP's first encounter with fraudulently imported automotive radiators in Norfolk. In late August, officers seized a shipment consisting of 1,043 automotive radiators destined to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Bad actors attempted to import those radiators using a victim's stolen identity.

Read more about how CBP secures international trade and enforces U.S. laws to help protect consumers and ensure a fair and competitive trade environment for American workers and businesses.

CBP's border security mission is led at our nation's Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, and other prohibited items that threaten public safety and our nation's economic vitality.

Learn more at www.CBP.gov.

Follow the Director of CBP's Baltimore Field Office on X @DFOBaltimore and CBP's Office of Field Operations on Instagram @cbpfieldops.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Enforcement
• Laws and Regulations
• Office of Field Operations
• Smuggling
• Trade Enforcement