bargain hunters flock to downtown los angeles and an area called santee alley, where clothing, sunglasses, watches and toys pack tiny stores block after block. santee alley is also known as a haven for counterfeit goods.

los angeles — fake designer brand purses, clothing and even prescription medications are made and sold around the world.  investigators say it is bigger business than the illegal drug trade.  and police say that when consumers buy counterfeit items, they could be contributing to the funding other crimes.  many of the counterfeit items from the pacific rim enter the united states through los angeles.

bargain hunters flock to downtown los angeles and an area called santee alley, where clothing, sunglasses, watches and toys pack tiny stores block after block.  santee alley is also known as a haven for counterfeit goods.

anita grey has been shopping at santee alley for years.  she says she would never buy fake designer products, but she has seen them.

“i know years ago when i come down, you would see it.  and now, you don’t see it at all," said grey.

investigator kris buckner says that is because police have raided stores that carry fake designer goods so many times that people who sell them are more careful.

“they’ll come up and offer you the goods, and then they’ll take you to a warehouse," said buckner.

for the last 15 years, buckner has been tracking down people who sell and make counterfeit products.  he says the problem is not limited to downtown los angeles.

“you got to look at the global marketplace," he said. "it’s estimated that 10 percent of the goods you’ll see out