AliExpress has helped Chinese law enforcement officers take down counterfeit bicycle products offered online and seize US$1.1 million in goods.

The joint operation, carried out in March, resulted in the arrest and prosecution of seven individuals, and in the seizure of Specialized Tarmac SL8 road-racing frames, Roval handlebars and wheels, as well as seatposts, forks, and 9500 sticker sets.

Manufacturers Pinarello, Cannondale, Cervelo, and Trek also had items seized during the raid. The estimated street value of all of these counterfeit bicycle carbon-fibre goods exceeds $1.6 million, AliExpress said.

“Safeguarding consumers and upholding brand trust are core to our platform’s integrity,” Matthew Bassiur, head of Alibaba International’s global intellectual property (IP) enforcement team, said.

“While we swiftly remove infringing listings from our marketplace, lasting impact requires dismantling physical operations through close partnerships with brands and law enforcement. This case is a prime example of that approach.”

The seizure of goods marks the largest anti-counterfeiting operation in Specialized’s history.

“These illicit operations not only exploit consumers but also undermine trust in authentic goods,” Andrew Love, global brand protection manager at Specialized, added.

“Chinese law enforcement and Alibaba deserve immense recognition for their integral role in achieving this milestone.”

The investigation began when Specialized approached AliExpress with information on suspected counterfeiters abusing the e-commerce platform to market illegal and unsafe bicycle products. Specialized then conducted test purchases to confirm that the goods were counterfeit. Over the past year, AliExpress has worked with more than 20 global brands, leading to the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at over $30 million.