Score one for the feds . An investigation encompassing everything from fake NFL game jerseys to counterfeit Super Bowl tickets ended with more than $ 17 million worth of items seized and 41 people arrested , according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement . The federal agency began its probe -- which it dubbed `` Operation Red Zone '' in reference to the area between the 20-yard line and goal line for a football team 's offense -- on September 1 , 2012 , and wrapped it up on February 6 . ICE special agents , U.S . Postal Inspection Service members and state and local police officers nationwide conducted the investigation , in conjunction with the NFL and other top sports leagues . They targeted international shipments of merchandise while also focusing on places where such items might be stored or sold , such as warehouses , stores , flea markets , street vendors and online vendors . By the time they were done , authorities had seized $ 17.3 million in unlicensed jerseys , hats , T-shirts , jackets and other souvenirs , ICE said . Plus , federal agents shut down 313 websites on which counterfeit merchandise was hawked . `` The seized websites are now in the custody of the federal government , '' according to the ICE press release . The effort -- which included the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center -- also looked at counterfeit tickets , specifically for the Super Bowl , the NFL 's championship game . This led to the confiscation of 168 tickets valued at more than $ 154,000 .
U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement led `` Operation Red Zone '' Agents seized $ 17.3 million in unlicensed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement garments and more . They also nabbed 168 fake the Super Bowl tickets valued at $ 154,000 , feds say . 168 people were arrested and 168 websites were shut down .