Fake Handbags, Real Pot: Laguna Cops Seize $360,000 Worth of Merch

Laguna Beach police detectives seized over 100 counterfeit handbags, hats and accessories Thursday morning in an operation conducted at Cobbler's Corner, located at 985 S. Coast Hwy.

The handbags, which, according to Laguna Beach police, carried the names of such high-end brands as Tory Burch, Dooney and Bourke, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chloe and Jimmy Choo, had an estimated value of $100,000.

According to Lt. Jason Kravetz of the LBPD, while detectives were inside the store, one of the handbag suppliers showed up on business. She was detained, and eventually agreed to help detectives with the case by taking them to her South Laguna home to pick up even more allegedly counterfeit products. There, according to Kravetz, they allegedly discovered additional items valued at more than $260,000, as well as two pounds of marijuana.

The operation sprang from an incident last month, when a Laguna Beach woman told police that her daughter had bought a Louis Vuitton wallet from Cobbler's Corner for $70. But instead of a fantastic bargain, the mother believed the wallet was a fake.

Detectives and private investigators then undertook an undercover operation at the store, culminating in Thursday's raid.

Officials from United States Customs were involved as well, allegedly because most of the merchandise was shipped to Laguna Beach directly from China.

No arrests have been made. Laguna Beach Patch left a message with Cobbler's Corner—which, according to its website, specializes in shoe, luggage and leather repair—but, as of a 4:30 p.m. posting time, it has not been returned.