Thousands of diabetic socks from Turkey were seized from the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va. on July 29, according to a release from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Diabetic socks are specialty socks that are non-elastic to reduce pressure and swelling, that eliminate the friction that may cause discomfort, and that help keep the patient’s foot dry, officials said.

"Any level of substandard manufacturing may seriously endanger the health and well-being of diabetic patients," CBP stated in a news release.

The shipment was headed to an address in Loudoun County, Va. and was worth more than $2.6 million manufacturer’s suggested retail price if they were real, officials said.

CBP officers initially inspected the shipment of Hugh Ugoli branded diabetic cotton socks on July 12 after it arrived from Turkey, and officers detained the 694-box shipment. Import specialists, which are the agency’s trade experts, double-checked with Cotton Incorporated that the Cotton seal trademark on the packaging was unauthorized.

The “Seal of Cotton” trademark, which is owned and licensed exclusively by Cotton Incorporated, is evaluated for the cotton quality and content in a product. This means licensees must have all artwork and packaging bearing the Seal of Cotton trademark approved before manufacturing and distribution.

At this time, no one has been charged. An investigation into this shipment continues.

Two weeks prior border officers seized 118,566 pairs of counterfeit cotton diabetic socks, officials said.