Investigation launched involving 82 individuals following inspections of 80 establishments
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, June 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Civil Guard, under the ‘IMITA’ operation, has confiscated 58,000 counterfeit items in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province, with an estimated value of 22 million euros.
This announcement was made on Sunday by the Civil Guard, stating that 82 individuals have been implicated in two separate incidents for breaching industrial property regulations, with a total of 80 premises being checked across Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
The surveillance operations at various commercial outlets in the province earlier this year led to the discovery of a large quantity of fake products, prompting immediate inspections to prevent any potential alerts among traders.
During the initial phase, authorities seized 24,500 counterfeit items, identified 39 people, and conducted inspections at several establishments.
Subsequently, in a second operation, law enforcement confiscated over 33,500 counterfeit items of luxury brands, valued at nearly 16 million euros in today’s market. Additionally, 45 individuals were investigated, and a total of 39 establishments, primarily bazaars, along with four delivery vans, were inspected.
APPAREL, HANDBAGS, PURSES, FOOTWEAR, EYEWEAR…
The establishments were found engaging in the sale of counterfeit high-end products including clothing, handbags, purses, belts, footwear, sunglasses, perfumes, toys, and other children’s articles.
Furthermore, during the inspections, a judicial expert specialised in trademarks collaborated with the authorities to verify the authenticity of the seized products as counterfeits.
Notably, issues were identified with some children’s products as they did not meet mandatory quality standards ensuring safety for young users.
The operation was carried out by the Fiscal and Border Analysis Unit (UDAIFF) of the Tenerife North and Tenerife South Airports Fiscal Section, alongside the Fiscal and Border Patrols (PAFIFs) of territorial units and agents of the Organic Judicial Police Unit.
