The Guardia Civil, in the framework of Operation 'Etiqueta’, has confiscated 25,714 counterfeit luxury brand items from outlets across the province of Tenerife, with an estimated market value exceeding 6.3 million euros. In a statement, they have revealed that 39 people are under investigation as suspected perpetrators of crimes against industrial property copyright.
The operation was initiated in May when agents conducted surveillance of various commercial establishments in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. During these operations, the sale of a multitude of counterfeit products was detected.
Once the outlets were identified, the Guardia Civil deployed a simultaneous search operation to prevent the merchants from warning each other of the police intervention.
[BOXVIDEOS1]
In total, agents raided 41 sales outlets that were selling a wide array of counterfeit high-end brand items, including clothing, handbags, wallets, belts, footwear, sunglasses, phone cases, perfumes, toys, and other children's items.
During these searches, law enforcement officers were aided by a judicial expert in brands who certified that the products for sale were indeed counterfeits.
The Guardia Civil emphasized that among the seized materials were some children's items, which received special attention due to their lack of compliance with quality controls because they could be dangerous for young children to play with.
Following expert assessment, the total value of the confiscated products on the current market was estimated at 6,344,127 euros. This operation represents one of the largest actions against industrial property in the Canary Islands.
The operation involved 120 agents from various units, including the Fiscal and Border Analysis Unit (UDAIFF) of the Fiscal Section of Tenerife North and Tenerife South Airports, as well as members of the Fiscal and Border Patrols (PAFIF's) from territorial companies, and agents from the Organic Unit of Judicial Police.
Ultimately, the investigation into the operation was led by the competent courts in each of the areas where the inspections were carried out, in coordination with the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
