Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) · Auto Theft Squad
o   Lieutenant Gustavo De Los Rios
o   Sergeant Luis Paz and Team
o   Detective Michael Hufnagel
o   Detective Jorge Socarras
o   Received by Josh Vales

While conducting a border search of inbound shipments from the United Kingdom, Special Agents of 
the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) section, 
assigned to the Raleigh, North Carolina, Field Office, intercepted a Federal Express Shipment of 20 
Honda Airbags bound for a business located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. An initial inspection of 
the airbags in question led HSI Agents to believe that the airbags in question may be counterfeit.
The seized airbags were transferred for further investigation by the HSI Miami Field Office. 
Detectives from the Miami Auto Theft Squad regularly assist the HSI Commercial Fraud Section. Auto 
The Theft Squad Detectives inspected, carefully cataloged, and photographed the inbound shipment.

Through a complex investigation, detectives:
· Verified airbags as counterfeit: improper inflators, serial numbers, packaging.
· Identified 75 similar shipments since January 2023.
· Executed a search warrant and recovered 282 counterfeit airbags (Honda, Acura, Toyota, etc.).
· Estimated authentic value: $281,766.
· The business owner was arrested: 307 felony counts of engaging in the sale of Counterfeit Airbags and trademark violations.
· Bomb Squad testing revealed deployment failures and safety risks.
· Raised public awareness and aided in locating affected vehicles.
· Commended for teamwork, public safety impact, and cross-agency collaboration.

Congratulations, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) · Auto Theft Squad:
• Lieutenant Gustavo De Los Ríos
• Sergeant Luis Paz and Team
• Detective Michael Hufnagel
• Detective Jorge Socarras
for all your hard work as this year’s recipients of the IAATI Components Parts Markings Award.