agents National Police in joint operation Customs Brokerage Tax Administrationintervened More than five tons of counterfeit products belonging to elite brands in an operating distribution network Canary Islands. This was the largest intervention by international brands against counterfeit products ever registered in Europe. 17 arrests, 14 arcade records, confiscation of four warehouses and three addresses and 70,000 Euros in cash and three vehicles. Articles intervened according to the estimates of expert experts, It can be worth more than 300 million euros.
After being informed of the incident, the investigation began. Presence of several shops on the island of Tenerifepossibly dedicated to the sale of fake effects, a partner distributor At Fuerteventura, which forms the leadership of a criminal body dedicated to the sale and distribution of counterfeit materials.
Due to these facts, the action was shared with the prosecutor’s office in the joint investigation. EUROPOL National Central Unit.
Police operation. named djangoresulted in the liquidation of a criminal organization specializing in the large-scale distribution and marketing of counterfeit products of elite brands operating on the islands of Tenerife and Fuerteventura. The organization mainly purchased the counterfeit material on the Cobo Calleja industrial estate in Madrid and marketed its products mainly in tourist areas, taking advantage of the large population of short-term residents in the country.
Beginning of the investigation
The operation began in September 2021. Economic and Financial Crime Unit of the Provincial Judicial Police Brigade of Santa Cruz de Tenerife National Police Provincial Police Station. The unit in question was aware of the existence of a wholesale point for fake leather goods in the south of Tenerife. Surveillance and follow-up work led to the custodian of this place, observing how he sold these products to various individuals for sale, both in street sales and in the bazaars. After it was determined that the cargo companies were coming from Fuerteventura, steps were taken with the participation of a few citizens of Chinese origin who would form the leadership of the organization.
Then he joined the operation. Customs Inspection Service, On behalf of the person responsible for the Fuerteventura distributor, it was determined that there were many products in the Customs and detailed follow-up of their activities was started. The leader of the network shipped products from Fuerteventura to other points on the island itself and to Tenerife, where the contact person distributed and marketed them on the island through his own businesses.
Investigation sent to court Arona Instruction Court No. 4, It orders pre-treatment for such purposes in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
They bought the material in Madrid
Acting as investigators, they determined the existence of a criminal network. a perfectly structured organization, three levels are distinguished: the head of the organization dedicated to the purchase of counterfeit materials and their distribution in the archipelago; a second step with supply and distribution functions; and a third level that receives counterfeit material from the head of the organization – and in some cases from the second level – directly for marketing in their business.
Leadership of the organization originally purchased the falsified material on the Cobo Calleja industrial site, Located in Fuenlabrada (Madrid), and secondarily directly to China. The goods sent by sea to this dome were delivered on arrival in the Canary Islands through private parcel companies, mainly at his warehouse in Fuerteventura and sometimes even at his own home.
After the goods are collected in the warehousecontinued its distribution to different establishments of the archipelago alongside other marketers associated with the dome selling direct to consumer as well as distributing to other businesses.
Large simultaneous device
Given the size of the operation, in mid-June it became necessary to install a large device coordinated by the United States. by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Provincial Judicial Police Brigade and the Customs Surveillance Operations Unit of the same province. Developed on the islands of Fuerteventura and Tenerife, this device Nearly one hundred Police officers from different units within the scope of the Canary Islands National Police Station and Customs Surveillance Support from the Tax Office and the dog guides unit of the Local Police of the capital city of Tenerife.
In total, three houses, four warehouses and 14 bazaars or establishments on both islands were simultaneously entered and searched, more than 70,000 Euros in cash and three vehicles were seized, and more than five tons of counterfeit products of well-known prestige brands were sealed. . . Among them were bags, various leather goods, clothing, sunglasses, watches and various fashion accessories. According to the estimation criteria of expert experts, the confiscated material is currently More than 300 million Euros.
arrested as a result of these actions. 17 people membership of a criminal organization, crimes against industrial property and money laundering. With the disbandment of the organization, money laundering investigations continue.
More than 250,000 objects have been tampered with so far More than 222m euros, in the absence of analysis of material in two warehouses already authorized by the judge, pending entry and registration.