The Civil Guard has confiscated a total of 58,000 counterfeit items, such as clothing, bags, wallets, belts, footwear, sunglasses, perfumes, toys, and other children’s products, estimated at 22 million euros within the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife under operation IMITA.
As part of the operation, 84 individuals are under investigation for intellectual property crimes. A total of 80 establishments across Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro have been inspected by the Civil Guard as of this Sunday.
The operation commenced last January when surveillance services were initiated by the Civil Guard in various commercial premises spread across all the islands in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This led to the identification of multiple outlets selling counterfeit goods.
After identifying these establishments, a significant operation was carried out by the agents to conduct simultaneous inspections, aiming to prevent any warning signals reaching the merchants concerning potential police interventions.
In the initial phase, the agents successfully intercepted 24,500 counterfeit items, carried out inspections at multiple businesses, and identified 39 individuals.
Furthermore, in a subsequent action, the agents seized over 33,500 counterfeit products from luxury brands, amounting to nearly 16 million euros in the current market.
Additionally, 45 people were investigated, and a total of 39 stores, primarily bazaars, were inspected, along with four cargo vans which were engaged in the sale of counterfeit luxury brand items of various types.
During the inspection process, the agents collaborated with a trademark expert, who confirmed the authenticity of the counterfeit products being sold.
According to the Civil Guard, certain children’s products were highlighted for failing mandatory quality checks, endangering young users due to safety risks associated with their usage.
This marks the second crackdown on intellectual property conducted by the Civil Guard within a year.
The operation was carried out by the Fiscal and Border Analysis Unit (UDAIFF) of the Fiscal Section of Tenerife North and Tenerife South Airports in collaboration with the Fiscal and Border Patrols (PAFIF’s) of the regional Companies and the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police.
