MIAMI (WSVN) - Miami-Dade Police detectives arrested a South Florida man on charges of grand theft and counterfeiting private labels after uncovering his alleged involvement in a sprawling retail theft and counterfeit cigar operation.
According to the MDPD, investigators revealed that 52-year-old Jorge Gomero, reportedly part of a larger group, had been stealing health and beauty products along with clothing from major retailers.
“He owned the store where he was purchasing and selling stolen goods,” said Miami-Dade Police Officer Andre Martin.
Police said a tip from another person arrested for organized retail theft led them to Gomero.
Detectives said surveillance video captured the group transporting stolen goods in garbage bags to Gomero’s establishment, El Baratón, located at 4746 W Flagler St., where they were then resold.
In the arrest report, police detailed how they sent undercover officers into the store various times. The officer’s presented and sold alleged stolen items that ranged from clothing, over the counter medicine, perfumes, and health and beauty items.
Each time officers presented the items, Gomero, channeling his store’s name which in English means the cheap one, bought the items for around $200.
The retail value of these items was more than $1000 to $2000.
“This is very dangerous because, if you don’t know where these items are coming from, and these are items that you are placing on or inside your body, you don’t know if these products have been adulterated with different chemicals and things that can be very hazardous to your health,” said Martin.
Following a search warrant, authorities said they seized over $28,000 worth of merchandise from Gomero’s business premises.
MDPD said that among the confiscated items were nearly 4,500 counterfeit cigar boxes and thousands of counterfeit cigar labels, with an estimated value exceeding $1.1 million.
“The intention of Mr. Gomero with these labels and boxes were to sell them to other individuals who were then going to put them on cigars and then sell those cigars as authentic tobacco products,” said Martin. “These cigars have been analyzed and they’ve been found to contain products or chemicals like hair, bodies of insects, or formaldehyde.”
Further investigation disclosed Gomero’s role in facilitating orders for the counterfeit boxes and labels, allegedly intended for use in selling fake cigars as genuine products.
Police said this is a dangerous business and it hurts everyone in the community.
“Crimes like these are the crimes that are causing the cost of goods to rise exponentially,” said Martin. “Make sure that what you’re purchasing is an authentic product and your not putting yourself or your family members in danger.”
Gomero was arrested and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He appeared in bond court on Tuesday.
“Good morning Mr. Gomero, sir, you were arrested for two cases,” said Judge Mindy Glazer. “The charge is for dealing in stolen property, four counts, and one count of grand theft.
Gomero’s bond is set at $30,000.
Police said the investigation into this retail ring continues and more people are expected to be held accountable for these crimes.
It is unclear if Gomero’s wife will face charges. She was in the store front every time police came into the store.
Police want the public to know that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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