site.btaDirectorate for Combating Organised Crime Participates in First EU-wide Operation against Illegal Trade in Counterfeit Clothing, Shoes

Directorate for Combating Organised Crime Participates in First EU-wide Operation against Illegal Trade in Counterfeit Clothing, Shoes
Directorate for Combating Organised Crime Participates in First EU-wide Operation against Illegal Trade in Counterfeit Clothing, Shoes
Counterfeit goods (Interior Ministry Photo)

Between March and December 2022, Europol coordinated the first EU-wide operation against the illegal trade in counterfeit clothing, footwear and accessories. A total of 17 countries participated in Operation Fake Star, including Bulgaria, the Interior Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. Almost 2 million counterfeit items worth around EUR 87 million were confiscated; 378 arrests were made.

In the course of the operation, national authorities carried out a total of 3,921 inspections of commercial and industrial areas, flea markets, tourist areas, warehouses, shops and other similar places where counterfeit goods could be sold. In Bulgaria, the checks were conducted by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

The confiscated counterfeit goods mostly originated from countries outside Europe, with China, Hong Kong, Turkiye and Vietnam being the predominant sources. The counterfeits entered the EU by land or sea.

In addition to the traffic of counterfeit goods, the authorities uncovered other criminal activities carried out by the identified criminal networks.

/DS/

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By 14:58 on 28.03.2024 Today`s news

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