New York, NY – More than 50 federal agents fanned out in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, detaining multiple men near Canal Street in an operation targeting the sale of counterfeit goods. The raid, conducted in broad daylight, drew both curious onlookers and a growing crowd of protesters.
The Department of Homeland Security described the operation as focused on criminal activity related to selling counterfeit merchandise. The raid was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in coordination with the FBI and Border Patrol. Officials did not immediately disclose the number of arrests or the immigration status of those detained.
Witnesses reported at least four men were taken into custody. Agents, many wearing vests marked “Homeland Security Investigations,” emerged from unmarked vehicles around 3:20 p.m. on Lispenard Street, just south of Canal Street. The show of force included dozens of masked officers and an armored vehicle, drawing a chaotic scene as protesters chased agents down Lafayette Street toward ICE offices at 26 Federal Plaza.
The DHS spokeswoman said the crowd “became violent and obstructed law enforcement duties, including blocking vehicles and assaulting law enforcement.” Several protesters were arrested during the confrontation, though exact numbers were not immediately available.
Photographers and passersby described confusion as agents detained men sitting on street corners, some simply smoking cigarettes. “These men, they are just grabbing people, putting them in cuffs,” said Kaden Cummings, 23, who witnessed the arrests. “Nobody’s identifying themselves, explaining. There’s no due process going on. It’s just straight to the back of a van if you’re African on Canal.”
One man, Mor Ndiaye, 38, said he was surrounded, handcuffed, and pushed to the ground, injuring his knee. “They asked me if I’m legal, so I gave them my ID. They checked and then they let me go. They put me down, and I’m like, ‘What are you looking for?’”
By evening, roughly 100 protesters had gathered outside the ICE offices, with local Democratic officials denouncing the arrests. Mayor Eric Adams’ office confirmed the NYPD was monitoring the scene but was not directly involved in the raid.
Canal Street has long been known for vendors selling counterfeit designer items, including watches, purses, and sneakers. Many of the vendors are immigrants from West Africa, a presence that has grown following an influx of migrants since 2022. Local business owners have frequently complained that the sale of fake merchandise impacts both commerce and pedestrian safety.
The raid follows recent viral social media posts by pro-Trump content creators highlighting African vendors on Canal Street, prompting calls for ICE intervention. Last week, federal agents arrested two Venezuelan men outside a migrant shelter in Times Square.
Despite frequent police interventions in the area, including arrests and confiscations, illegal sales often resume quickly, perpetuating what business owners describe as a persistent challenge to neighborhood safety and quality of life.