Feds break counterfeit designer ring

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Three Chinese nationals living in New York were being held Friday on charges of importing thousands of counterfeit Burberry, Gucci and Coach handbags.

The trio was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents following an investigation that began five years ago after raids turned up a cache of knockoff designer handbags and wallets, CNN reported.

Indictments in the case were returned last October but the charges remained secret until after all three defendants had been taken into custody.

Chong Lam, 39, and Joyce Chan, 39, were arrested Wednesday in Washington. Eric Yuen, 39, was apprehended Thursday in Las Vegas.

Authorities in Washington say the three led one of the largest counterfeit operations ever discovered. It involved some 300,000 bags and wallets bearing fake labels of companies like Burberry, Gucci and Coach.

Arraignment of the defendants will take place in Richmond, Va., at a later date, CNN said.