Investigations

On January 27, 2022, Emiliano Rodriguez, owner of EP Auto Repair and Services, was indicted by a Federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for trafficking counterfeit goods and causing delivery of hazardous materials by air carrier in violation of DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The indictment alleges that between January 2017 and October 2019, Rodriguez trafficked counterfeit motor vehicle airbag systems and components—including airbag inflators—which DOT regulations classify as hazardous materials. Rodriguez violated HMRs by shipping counterfeit airbag inflators from China to Philadelphia by air without proper hazardous materials classification, labeling, and packaging.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.