Multinational sting targets counterfeit textiles and leather goods in Spain
Authorities from national police units, working in tandem with the Tax Agency Customs Surveillance, seized more than 18,000 counterfeit items at commercial venues in Lloret de Mar, located in the Girona province. The operation uncovered a large stock of textiles and leather goods that bore the logos of well-known brands, ready for sale. The action led to the arrest of 16 individuals and the inspection of 19 establishments where goods with a market value exceeding half a million euros were uncovered. A parallel investigation traced a wholesale distribution network for fake textile products operating in markets across the Alicante province. These efforts form part of the European EMPACT initiative, with Spain leading the National Police in coordinating multiple field actions against trademark counterfeiting.
The inquiry began earlier in the year after complaints were submitted by legal representatives of several agencies and prestigious brands. The concerns pointed to public establishments in Lloret de Mar where a substantial quantity of counterfeit products were allegedly stored, displayed, and offered for sale, prompting a formal response from investigators.
Seizure details: 18,322 items valued at over 549,660 euros
Following a series of investigative steps, law enforcement executed a police operation that culminated in 16 arrests and the supervision of 19 commercial sites. Inside these venues, authorities recovered numerous counterfeit textile items and accessories that had been displayed or hidden for planned distribution and unlawful sale. The seized goods included T-shirts, pants, sweatshirts, fashion accessories, bags, and leather articles that violated multiple brand rights and carried a combined market value of 549,660 euros.
During the same sweep, investigators also identified production methods used to materialize fraud. Some items carried counterfeit brand logos applied through stamping, cutting, or gluing techniques on leather or fabric products, further evidencing organized counterfeiting activity.
Separate probe: parallel action in Alicante markets
In the second thread of the investigation, three additional suspects were arrested as authorities seized a total of 17,667 counterfeit textile items bearing names of renowned brands. The inquiry originated after reports that counterfeit clothing objects such as polo shirts, T-shirts, and trousers marketed in markets within the Alicante region were altered to misrepresent their origin. Following extensive fieldwork, investigators located two industrial facilities where textile printing and wholesale distribution activities were taking place.
The two parallel lines of inquiry are part of Operational Action 3.4 FAKESTAR, a Spain-led initiative coordinated by the National Police to combat the sale of counterfeit products from famous brands, with a particular focus on offline textiles. FAKESTAR is included in a broader European campaign aimed at reducing violations of intellectual and industrial property rights and curbing product counterfeiting. The initiative operates under EMPACT, a cross-border program that coordinates efforts across European agencies to disrupt organized crime in multiple sectors.