Ex-Mexican footballer charged in U.S. over fake luxury watch trafficking
A former Mexican soccer player, Pedro Hernandez-Calderon, has been charged with alleged trafficking in counterfeit goods after four fake luxury watches were found on him on October 5 in Anchorage, Alaska, United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, in a statement on Tuesday, said the 45-year-old operated an import-export business that received fake watches in Laredo for shipment to customers in Mexico.
Mr Pedro Hernandez-Calderon remains in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
At the time of his initial appearance, the court heard that Mr Hernandez-Calderon was a former professional goalkeeper who played for Mexican soccer clubs Atlas, Santos Laguna, and Necaxa.
According to the criminal complaint, authorities seized four counterfeit luxury watches on October 5 in Anchorage, Alaska, that were destined for a Laredo warehouse.
It was alleged that between June 2025 and October 2026, authorities identified numerous shipments of counterfeit watches to addresses in Laredo, with an estimated retail value of approximately $5.4 million.
Additionally, authorities found photographs, communications, and shipping records documenting the operation, adding that representatives from luxury watch manufacturers confirmed the watches submitted for review were counterfeit.
If convicted, Mr Hernandez-Calderon faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $2 million fine.
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