Three people were indicted Tuesday in connection with an investigation of a knock-off auto parts ring. Shashi Malhotra, Fadi Kilani and Richard Dininni were arrested Tuesday morning for conspiring to traffic counterfeit goods, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced.

FBI agents raided three warehouse locations in Queens and New Jersey on Tuesday as part of the probe — one in Long Island City and two in Paterson.
Officials said many of the counterfeit parts — which were being sold as top-of-the-line brands — were found to be brake pads.

The knock-off auto parts were sold to auto shops that cater to taxis because the cabs take such a pounding on city streets that they’re constantly in need of replacement parts, WCBS 880′s Irene Cornell reported.