Police raids uncover €7 million worth of counterfeit goods in Tenerife
A major counterfeit operation has been dismantled in Tenerife after officers uncovered a workshop producing fake goods worth nearly €7 million. Around 70,000 imitation items were seized, with authorities warning the scale of the operation could affect both consumers and legitimate businesses across the Canary Islands.
The Guardia Civil launched the investigation under Operation Label, inspecting 20 shops across Tenerife and La Palma. Nineteen people are now under investigation for alleged offences linked to intellectual property and counterfeit goods.
Officers identified multiple premises involved in selling fake branded items, including clothing, handbags, wallets and belts. Many of the locations were being used to display and distribute counterfeit products to unsuspecting buyers.
During the operation, a key site was discovered in the south of Tenerife. The premises functioned as both a production workshop and distribution centre, where fake clothing was manufactured before being sent to shops across the islands.
Inside, officers found industrial screen-printing machines, presses, laser printers and computer equipment used to produce the counterfeit goods. Investigators say this setup allowed large-scale production of imitation branded items.
Authorities also seized more than €22,000 in cash, along with jewellery and gold bars valued at over €300,000. A court-appointed expert in trademarks confirmed the items were counterfeit following detailed analysis.
The operation involved specialist units from Tenerife South Airport, Tenerife North Airport, and territorial enforcement teams. It followed months of surveillance to identify the network’s distribution points.
Officials say the breakdown of this operation has removed a huge source of counterfeit goods in the Canary Islands. They are also urging residents and tourists to be cautious when purchasing branded items, as fake products can be difficult to spot and may not meet safety or quality standards.
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