- Under the umbrella of ‘Operation Pirates 1,’ over EUR 33 million worth of counterfeit goods, including garments, pharmaceuticals, electronic devices, and more, were seized.
- Participating nations and organizations include Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Serbia, CELBET, EUIPO, Frontex, OLAF, and PSI.
Setting a strong precedent in the war against counterfeit goods, ‘Operation Pirates 1’ has successfully seized more than EUR 33 million worth of illegitimate goods. This extensive operation, unified by the joint efforts of multiple nations and organizations, is aimed squarely at the illicit trade of fake products.
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Launched by a robust coalition of nations, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Serbia, Operation Pirates 1 encompasses wide-ranging physical inspections at both land and sea borders. Expert teams from CELBET (Customs Eastern and South-Eastern Land Border Expert Team), EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency), OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office), and PSI (Pharmaceutical Security Institute) have provided invaluable support to this mission.
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The operation’s focus extends across an array of counterfeit goods such as pharmaceutical products, clothing and accessories, cigarettes, cosmetics, electronic devices, and toys. It aimed to significantly disrupt the operations of smuggling networks and to mitigate the proliferation of these unauthorized and often dangerous goods.
The seizures during the operation were indeed staggering. The haul included over 810,995 counterfeit items ranging from clothing, footwear, bags, wallets, belts, sunglasses, accessories, perfumes, electric bikes, watches, jewelry, and pharmaceutical products to e-liquids for cigarettes. The operation also seized 61,246 counterfeit electronic devices and a staggering 7.8 million counterfeit cigarettes.
Additionally, the operation intercepted illicit substances and arms, including 250 kilograms of cannabis and 59 firearms, further emphasizing the wide-reaching implications of counterfeit trade.
The accomplishment of Operation Pirates 1 underlines the power of collective international efforts in combating intellectual property crime and counterfeit goods. This initiative serves as a benchmark in the ongoing battle against illegal trade, demonstrating the impact of rigorous scrutiny at our borders.
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