The counterfeit 3M N95 masks have an estimated value of $587,000. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 8:24 AM PST February 26, 2021 SEATTLE — More than 460,000 counterfeit 3M N95 masks headed for the Puget Sound region that would have been used by first responders were seized by federal authorities. The fake masks were seized Wednesday by Homeland Security Investigations' Border Enforcement Security Taskforce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI. “Counterfeit surgical masks are a serious threat to the front-line personnel who rely on them as they bravely combat this pandemic. Ensuring the integrity of the PPE supply chain is of utmost importance,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who is overseeing Homeland Security Investigations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI Seattle is actively engaging with our law enforcement partners to combat the trafficking of counterfeit PPE. The seizures today demonstrate our commitment to pursue anyone who puts lives and people’s health at risk just to gain an illicit profit.”