Authorities found $700,000 worth of counterfeit cosmetics laced with bacteria and human waste during a bust at the Los Angeles Fashion District.
According to officials, the Major Task Force hit 21 locations in the Santee Alley shopping area.
Photos tweeted by LAPD Captain Marc Reina show the makeup stands selling popular brands such as Kylie and Urban Decay.
“The best price is not always the best deal!” Captain Reina tweeted.
Busted! Major Task Force hits 21 locations in the @LAFashionDist and nets $700,000 in Counterfeit cosmetics found to contain bacteria and human waste. The best price is not always the best deal! #ProtectingOurCommunity pic.twitter.com/gliJ8L2F9F— Captain Marc Reina (@LAPDMarcReina) April 13, 2018
The LAPD was tipped off by the brand-name companies, which received complaints from consumers who said they had rashes and bumps after using their products.
“Those feces will just basically somehow get mixed into the product they’re manufacturing in their garage or in their bathroom — wherever they’re manufacturing this stuff,” Detective Rick Ishitani told KABC.
One of the brands being knocked off was Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics, CNN reports. Kim Kardashian West, Jenner’s sister, took to Twitter to respond to the raid.
“Counterfeit Kylie lip kits seized in LAPD raid test positive for feces. SO GROSS! Never buy counterfeit products!”
Police arrested the owners at six of the raided locations. The other operations received cease-and-desist orders.
