Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a large-scale operation in Manhattan, New York, focusing on areas associated with the sale of counterfeit merchandise. The action took place on Canal Street in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, where agents apprehended individuals suspected of engaging in illegal street vending.
The scene reportedly featured tense interactions, with reports of pushing and shoving as officers conducted their work. A law enforcement helicopter was seen overhead, monitoring the situation. Those detained were transported to Federal Plaza, drawing a crowd of onlookers. The New York Police Department confirmed it did not participate in the federal operation and made no arrests.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the raid aimed to combat criminal activity tied to counterfeit goods, involving ICE alongside agencies such as the FBI and ATF. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted that individuals described as “rioters” disrupted the operation, with at least one person arrested for assaulting a federal officer. The statement emphasized the effort was “intelligence-driven” and targeted those involved in illicit trade.
