The National Police have arrested 12 people in Palma, Muro and Manacor in an operation called “Terrock” against the sale of counterfeit products in tourist areas and have seized nearly 30,000 items.
According to a statement, the investigation began after several complaints were received from the legal representatives of various prestigious brands against establishments open to the public that were allegedly storing, offering and selling numerous items, in particular counterfeit textiles and leather goods.
The investigations led to the identification of the premises involved and those responsible, and a police operation was organised to take action against the establishments reported, as well as others known to also store and sell counterfeit products.
For better coordination, and within the framework of international actions led by the National Police in the fight against counterfeiting, the presence of a specialised Interpol agent was requested on the ground, which has enabled international traceability with regard to companies, goods and individuals involved in the international import and distribution of the counterfeit products seized.
Investigators from the General Judicial Police Station UDEV Central-Intellectual and Industrial Property Section, as well as the National Police Money Laundering Group in Palma and the Judicial Police Group in Manacor, focused their investigations on Palma, Muro and Manacor, setting up a police operation.
The operation was carried out by more than 50 officers, who conducted 17 inspections in establishments and warehouses located in different parts of Palma, resulting in a total of 29,216 items being seized.
Twelve people were arrested and another individual is under investigation, although further arrests are expected. The seized products were on display or in storage and perfectly arranged for illegal distribution and sale in the various locations inspected.
This year Palma Police have applied the city's new ordinance in imposing the first fines on people who buy products from illegal street sellers. In one case, eleven sunglasses were seized from the seller as evidence of illegal vending, while the purchaser was fined for "making a purchase from an unlicensed street vendor on the public way".The new ordinance came into force on May 26. The town launched an information campaign to warn both residents and tourists about the risks of purchasing products from unauthorised vendors. The police emphasise that this type of trade harms legal establishments and can result in a financial penalty for the buyer.