PSP confiscated more than 5,600 counterfeit goods worth 150 thousand euros

In a counterfeiting operation, PSP detained 43 people and seized 5,652 counterfeit items, mostly clothing and shoes, worth about €158,000, police said this Wednesday.

Of the 43 arrests, three were made for possession of prohibited weapons, five for drug trafficking, and 28 people were also identified.

In a statement, the Public Security Police said that during the operation carried out throughout the country to prevent criminal and administrative offenses related to crimes committed against industrial property, namely counterfeit products, 166 verification activities were carried out.

According to the PSP, as a result of these checks, 5,652 counterfeit items were seized, mainly clothing and shoes, as well as various accessories such as suitcases, watches and sunglasses.

PSP says the value of the seized material is €158,300.

PSP is a member of the Group Against Counterfeiting (GAC) and the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), which has identified the fight against property crime as one of its priorities for the 2022-2025 cycle. .

One of the goals of EMPACT is to dismantle criminal networks involved in theft, embezzlement and illegal trade in goods, in particular the fight against counterfeit products.

According to PSP, proceeds from this type of illegal activity are used to support other types of criminal activity that can threaten people and property, namely terrorist activities.

In the course of its activities, PSP facilitated inspections at fairs, markets, trade establishments, warehouses and other places where counterfeit goods in violation of industrial property rights could be produced, transported, stored or sold.

Given the scope that this type of activity has acquired in the context of cybercrime, efforts have also been made to monitor online commercial transactions involving counterfeit materials.