More than 128 thousand counterfeit items, namely clothing, sports equipment and textile accessories, worth 887 thousand euros, were seized by ASAE, in an operation to combat counterfeiting through social media, it was announced today.
In the “Ártemis” inspection operation, carried out by the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE), through its National Information and Criminal Investigation Unit, “domestic, non-domestic and digital search warrants were carried out, where investigated the illicit sale or concealment of counterfeit products, through social networks, in the Porto region and in Barcelos”, said ASAE in a statement.
“As a result of the action, directed at a store with reserved access and a warehouse, where items with strong suspicions of counterfeit origin were displayed and sold, as well as their packaging for dispatch, the respective criminal investigations were launched by the illicit sale or concealment of counterfeit products and imitation or illegal use of brands”, he highlights.
According to ASAE, 128.200 items were also seized, including clothing, sports equipment and textile accessories, as well as a 6.35 caliber weapon and related ammunition, all worth approximately 887 thousand euros.
Those targeted were constituted as defendants and subject to an identity and residence term, says ASAE, highlighting that one of the defendants is a repeat offender in the practice of this illicit activity.
ASAE recalls that counterfeiting constitutes a crime that precedes money laundering, the latter being a crime of prevention and priority investigation, and will therefore continue to develop inspection actions in this area, aiming to “safeguard market rules and free competition, defending industrial property rights and ensuring consumer protection”.
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