In Mayo, a sweeping anti-counterfeiting operation was carried out by police across several towns in the west of Ireland. The investigation led to the seizure of more than 800 counterfeit devices, including AirPods and a range of iPhone accessories that mimic genuine Apple products. The haul also contained chargers, cables, cases and other peripherals designed to imitate official products. The official valuation placed the counterfeit stock at about 173,904 US dollars, which at the exchange rate of that period translated to roughly 16.6 million rubles. Local authorities emphasized the real risk to consumers and to legitimate retailers when counterfeit electronics enter markets. Source: local media reports.
Searches were conducted over two days across multiple towns in the region, including Castlebar, Westport, Ballinrobe and Claremorris. The operation was described as a coordinated, multi-agency effort aimed at disrupting counterfeit supply chains rather than solely pursuing arrests. Agencies involved included the Crime Squad, the National Immigration Bureau, the Inland Revenue Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Labour Relations Commission and the Social Security Special Investigations Unit. Officials highlighted the collaborative nature of the work as essential to tackling intellectual property crime, which often spans different enforcement domains. Source: local media reports.
A police spokesperson noted that intellectual property crimes, such as counterfeit products, impose a heavy toll on the economy of the European Union, with estimates indicating more than €85 billion in losses each year. The statement underscored the importance of sustained enforcement and public awareness to curb the scale of the problem. Source: EU estimates.
At the time of reporting, no arrests had been announced and investigators continued to pursue leads. This Mayo operation followed a separate seizure in Northern Ireland earlier in the year, where counterfeit goods valued at about $750,000 were seized in related raids. Source: local media reports.
In related online coverage, earlier posts had shown initial mockups of a hypothetical iPhone SE 4 Plus, illustrating ongoing interest in new device designs even as counterfeit activity persists. Source: technology press.
Public guidance urged consumers to buy electronics only from reputable retailers and to scrutinize products for signs of falsification, such as inconsistent branding or subpar build quality. Authorities emphasized reporting suspicious items to help prevent fraud and protect brand integrity. Source: official guidance.