The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a counterfeit auto parts ring that authorities say sold supplies to New York City taxi companies. Three people are under arrest and agents are searching locations in Queens and New Jersey as the investigation continues.

The FBI says generic car parts were sold in boxes with the labels of premium manufacturers.

Some city cab companies may have unknowingly installed the lower quality parts on their cars, including brakes.

The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers says it is working closely with authorities to determine how many cabs may have been affected.

“Many of the livery cabs are not inspected as frequently as the yellow cabs are, therefore it concerns me even more, because if this counterfeiter has been supplying the auto parts stores where the livery cars shop at, they may have been contaminated even worse, and they won’t know until they have an accident,” said Fernando Mateo, the president of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers.

In a statement, the Taxi and Limousine Commission praised the FBI investigation and expressed confidence in the safety of its fleet, saying city taxis and livery cabs are inspected three times a year.

In a statement, the TLC adds, “The public may remain confident in the safety of New York City taxicabs by virtue of the frequent and exhaustive inspections they each undergo at the TLC’s own state-of-the-art facility, but successfully keeping counterfeiters like these at bay is crucial.”

The FBI says the counterfeit parts do not necessarily appear to be unsafe.

Those arrested could face up to 10 years in prison.

(Source: NY1)