Authorities seize $540K in phony athletic goods

? Federal agents and other law enforcement groups seized more than $540,000 in counterfeit Major League Baseball merchandise over two weeks leading up to this year’s All-Star Game in Kansas City.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Thursday that the joint operation targeted Internet sellers, street vendors and stores selling fake, game-related sportswear.

The 14-day effort resulted in the seizure of 13,023 items including apparel, fake tickets and memorabilia. Nearly 20 percent were from other sports leagues, including the NFL and NHL.

Authorities said they closed a Lenexa, Kan., warehouse believed to be responsible for distributing the majority of all counterfeit ball caps sold in the Kansas City area.

Seizures took place in several communities in the Kansas City metropolitan area, on both sides of the state line.