Civil Guard underscores strong enforcement against food fraud and protected-origin products

Civil Guard authorities in Alicante concluded an intensive inspection campaign, seizing notable quantities of fortified wines and related products. A total of 5,571 liters of vermouth, mistela, and muscatel, along with 1,950 kilos of honey, were removed from the market to curb fraud in the sale of food and alcoholic beverages. The majority of the confiscated drinks originated from a winery in the Vinalopó region. An investigation was opened against two individuals for offenses connected with market and consumer protection as well as crimes against industrial property. Across the country, the Civil Guard has conducted 2,800 inspections since last year under the banner of Operation Delta India. The operation led to 17 people being charged with 19 offenses related to products protected by the law, including Designations of Origin and geographic indicators such as PDO, PGI, and TSG. The campaign uncovered 202 violations, employing a wide range of methods. These included forging documents to import substandard products, failing to meet Spanish regulatory requirements, forging stamps or seals on containers, and other deceptive practices. The effort aimed to safeguard both intellectual property and industrial property to ensure accurate, trustworthy information for consumers purchasing food and beverages. The operation also emphasized the rights of farmers and producers to a fair income anchored in the distinct quality of certain products. The rural economy relies on these differentiations, and many communities in these regions face depopulation risks. The campaign sought to strengthen local livelihoods, create jobs, and support population stability in rural areas. Among the notable actions, the Alicante Command Nature Conservation Service, commonly known as Seprona, highlights an operation in which agents discovered a warehouse in a Medio Vinalopó municipality. There, products were illegally mixed with wine-based flavored drinks purchased from legitimate producers, indicating a deliberate attempt to obscure origin and mislead consumers. The discovery underscores the ongoing effort to detect and prevent adulteration and mislabeling that jeopardizes consumer trust and market integrity. One facility inspected revealed that aromas and sugar were added to certain wines to alter their organoleptic properties. The resulting vermouths were manipulated to resemble other drinks such as muscatel and mistela, a practice that deceives buyers who rely on accurate labeling and origin information. The case illustrates the need for stringent controls across production and packaging stages to maintain product authenticity and safety. In Toledo, the manager of a cooperative came under investigation for crimes against industrial property linked to wine production and sales under the La Mancha origin without proper registration or authorization by the referenced Denominación de Origen. Seprona seized 25,000 labels, 29,000 back labels, and 7,200 capsules bearing La Mancha symbols, highlighting a significant risk to protected designations and consumer confidence. The seizure demonstrates how counterfeit labeling undermines legitimate producers and compromises brand integrity across regional markets. A third major action occurred in Huelva, where a food fraud scheme involving dried Iberian pork products was exposed. The criminal network operated in Sierra de Huelva for years, repeatedly changing the product origin label, relabeling pieces, and marketing them under an in-house brand. Authorities filed formal charges against eight individuals, and unprecedented quantities—52,176 kilos and 2,998 ham and shoulder pieces—were implicated in the case. The episode underscores the challenges of safeguarding protected product identities while protecting public health and fair competition. The Civil Guard’s concerted efforts in these cases reveal a broader commitment to maintaining honest market conditions. By defending the reputations of protected products and the livelihoods of legitimate producers, authorities aim to preserve trust in food and beverage categories that rely on precise origin statements and quality standards. The ongoing investigations reflect a priority on preventing fraud that could otherwise erode consumer confidence and destabilize rural economies across Spain and its neighbor regions. These actions collectively contribute to a safer, more transparent market environment. They also serve as a warning to illicit operators that misrepresent origin, tamper with product contents, or forge documentation will face rigorous scrutiny and legal consequences. The operation demonstrates how law enforcement collaborates with regulatory bodies to protect both consumers and producers, ensuring that labels, origins, and quality claims accurately reflect the products on store shelves. The ongoing work shows a sustained focus on intellectual property protections and the integrity of supply chains that touch every citizen who buys food and drink. Cited authorities emphasize the essential role of farmers and producers in rural resilience. When products carry verified origin marks and quality recognition, farmers receive fair compensation for their differentiated outputs. This dynamic supports rural employment and helps communities stay vibrant, even in areas where population decline poses a risk. The recent actions illustrate the direct link between robust enforcement and a healthy rural economy, encouraging continued investment in local production and authenticity across the country.