In a bustling downtown Miami storefront, high-end designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Cartier, and Prada appeared to line the shelves. But according to police, those luxury goods, while bearing familiar labels, were nothing more than fakes.
An undercover operation led by Miami police, Miami-Dade police, and Homeland Security Investigations uncovered a $3 million counterfeit luxury goods ring, resulting in the arrest of Giovanni Tummolillo Sr., 72, and his son, Giovanni Tummolillo Jr., 40. Authorities allege that the father-son duo, owners of Leather Goods LLC in the historic Ingraham Building, were selling counterfeit merchandise disguised as top-tier designer items.
The investigation began in March after a tip-off from an individual who revealed that fake luxury items were being sold at the store. Working with an undercover informant, authorities conducted controlled purchases of counterfeit jewelry, handbags, and other high-end goods.
“The items were marketed as authentic, high-end products from brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Gucci, and more,” police stated. “To the average consumer, these counterfeits looked identical to the real deal.”
On August 23, authorities executed a search warrant at the downtown Miami business, seizing $3 million worth of phony merchandise. Alongside the counterfeit goods, they also uncovered manufacturing equipment used to create the fakes.
Later that day, police also raided the elder Tummolillo’s luxury apartment in North Bay Village. Although he wasn’t present at the time, they arrested his son, Giovanni Tummolillo Jr., in the Omni neighborhood of Miami.
The elder Tummolillo was eventually apprehended at Miami International Airport on Tuesday, though police did not specify whether he was attempting to board a flight or where he might have been heading.
Both men are facing five felony counts of selling counterfeit goods, with Tummolillo Sr. being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $12,500 bond. His son has since posted bond following his arrest, though his Miami-Dade jail booking photo was not immediately available.
The swift operation and subsequent arrests shed light on the pervasive issue of counterfeit goods flooding the luxury market and further highlight the importance of authenticating designer purchases.
