By: Brian Wells | Warren Weekly | Published July 13, 2022
WARREN — Seven people are facing charges after the Warren Police Department said that an investigation uncovered counterfeit goods being sold at a local trade center.
In May, the Warren Police Special Investigations Unit began investigating reports of counterfeit designer goods being sold at the County Line Trade Center, located at 20900 Dequindre Road in Warren.
In June, the department conducted surveillance and was able to identify four kiosks selling counterfeit designer items. The department executed search warrants at the kiosks and two residences and was able to seize 379 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items, 1,643 additional counterfeit designer brand items and more than $100,000 in cash.
The suspects — Mohammad Salam, 74; Ibrahim Salam, 28; Madlen Khosho, 66; Danny Khosho, 37; Annie Butler, 89; Maysam Jaber, 52; and Basem Jaber, 70 — were charged with intent to deliver counterfeit property, a five-year felony. They were arraigned June 28 in the 37th District Court.
While Mohammad Salam received a $20,000 bond, the others were given $10,000 bonds.
“This investigation began several months ago after the police department received information from various sources regarding large quantities of counterfeit goods being sold at a Warren business,” Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said in a prepared statement. “The investigation culminated in the arrest of several individuals and the seizure of numerous pieces of counterfeit merchandise.”
Dwyer commended the department’s special investigations unit, stating that the department will continue to take a proactive approach to investigate any type of consumer fraud committed in the city.
“We will continue working with our county, state and federal partners for successful prosecutions in these types of cases,” he said.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said that these types of crimes deceive the general public and harm those who sell genuine products.
“The facts are that we are all misled and cheated by these counterfeit products,” he said.
Mohammed Salam, Madlen Khosho, Danny Khosho, Maysam Jaber and Basem Jaber were scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause conference July 7 in front of District Court Judge John Chmura. The probable cause conference for Ibrahim Salam and Annie Butler is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 14.
Jeffery Maynard, the attorney representing Mohammed Salam and Ibrahim Salam, and Klodiya Tawfik, who is representing Madlen and Danny Khosho, both declined to comment. William Barnwell, the attorney representing Basem Jaber, also declined to comment. Butler’s attorney, James Amberg, could not be reached.