Owner of Miami and Hialeah Stores Arrested for Allegedly Selling Fake Jewelry: What Do We Know?

The owner of two jewelry stores in Miami-Dade County was taken into custody this week on charges of selling counterfeit luxury items valued at over $20,000. Authorities revealed that this case exposed a suspected operation involving goods that would have been worth more than $1.8 million if they were genuine.

Manuel DeJesus Beltrán-Machado, aged 43, was apprehended on Wednesday after he voluntarily surrendered with his attorney at the Office of Organized Crimes of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO).

According to the arrest report, cited by local media, he is facing serious charges for "selling, buying, or possessing counterfeit items valued at $20,000 USD or more."

Months-Long Investigation and Undercover Buys

The investigation began when a trademark specialist conducted undercover purchases at two locations operated by the suspect: one at 7148 SW 8th St. in Miami, and another at 530 West 29th St. in Hialeah.

Authorities stated that "multiple undercover purchases were made at the stores where luxury-branded jewelry was sold at prices significantly below retail."

At each location, at least two purchases were made, and the items were subsequently examined by brand experts who confirmed them as counterfeit.

In one documented instance, an agent purchased a fake Louis Vuitton ring and a pair of counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels earrings. The combined retail value of these pieces exceeded $5,700, yet they were bought for just about $350, according to the police report.

The jewelry allegedly imitated internationally renowned brands like Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Prada, and Rolex.

Raids and a Million-Dollar Discovery

On February 12, investigators executed simultaneous search warrants at both businesses, known as Las Villas Jewelry.

At the Hialeah store, detectives documented 136 pieces of counterfeit luxury-branded jewelry, which, "if genuine, would be worth over $894,000," according to official documents.

In the Miami establishment, another 126 pieces were found with a "documented comparative retail value" of $939,895. In total, authorities tallied 262 items whose combined value would reach $1,833,965 if they were authentic.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest

Beltrán-Machado voluntarily turned himself in and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).

Initially, jail records indicated his bail was "to be determined." However, on Thursday, he appeared before a judge who set his bail at $5,000.

The arrest report specifies that the businessman was charged specifically for selling counterfeit items exceeding the $20,000 threshold, thereby intensifying the severity of the charges against him.

As of now, neither the accused nor his defense has publicly commented on the charges.

This case once again places the spotlight on the luxury goods market in South Florida, a region historically known for networks involved in the import and sale of counterfeit merchandise.

Authorities emphasize that the investigation relied on direct verification with representatives from the affected brands, who confirmed all analyzed items were imitations.

The judicial process will now determine the criminal responsibility of the owner and the potential legal consequences stemming from the alleged large-scale distribution of counterfeit jewelry in Miami and Hialeah.