On Saturday, ICE detained an undocumented immigrant accused of selling counterfeit merchandise on Canal Street in Chinatown. They criticized the NYPD for allegedly allowing the man to slip back into the community despite previous arrests.
Abdou Tor, originally from Senegal, was apprehended around noon during a “targeted operation” at the intersection of Broadway and Canal Street, according to an ICE spokesperson.
The spokesperson noted that Tor had been arrested multiple times for suspected trafficking of counterfeit goods.
According to the spokesperson, “Tor fled from police on foot for several blocks, fell, and continued to resist arrest.” They claimed that the officers acted according to their training and managed the situation without any major issues.
Canal Street has a reputation for being a hub for fake wallets and other imitation designer items.
Interestingly, this incident occurred just a day after Zoran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House, where they appeared to be on friendly terms. Authorities later accused the NYPD of disrespecting the rights of ICE detainees concerning Tor’s earlier arrest on charges of felony trademark counterfeiting on October 7.
ICE stated that instead of handing Tor over, the NYPD released him back into the community, where he quickly resumed illegal activities, resulting in a second arrest by the NYPD on October 11. This time, he was released before ICE could take him into custody.
ICE also criticized the city’s policies, suggesting that they have contributed to a situation where criminal activities are recurring.
The spokesperson expressed, “Between sanctuary laws, bail reform, and a lack of cooperation from certain politicians, New York has turned into a revolving door for criminal immigrants threatening residents.” They emphasized that Secretary Christi Noem has made it clear that ICE is committed to protecting Americans from criminal behavior.
Earlier on the same day, the NYPD conducted a vendor raid at Canal Street and Broadway, seizing 25 bags of counterfeit goods approximately one hour before ICE’s arrival. A police spokesperson mentioned they confiscated one bag about 15 minutes before ICE showed up.
The NYPD clarified that “federal officers were present at the scene unrelated to NYPD operations,” stating that “NYPD officers left the area immediately and did not interact with federal personnel.”
