In a joint operation between Spanish police and Portugal’s ASAE, simultaneous raid this morning have dismantled am efficient counterfeit clothing manufacturing and distribution network.
The factories in the north of Portugal, apparently owned and run by a Moroccan, were raided and yielded about 38,000 counterfeit items, including clothing, footwear, labels, etc., as well as six machines and close to €217,000 in cash.
The investigation culminated in the arrest of 27 people, 21 in Spain and six in Portugal. The gathering of evidence and surveillance of suspects began last July as goods made in Portugal were tracked across Spain.
The Spanish arrests were in locations as diverse as Pontevedra, La Coruña, Gijon, Valencia and Malaga. The factories were in Paços de Ferreira and Felgueiras in Portugal’s north.
Portugal’s ASAE said that during its part of operation Aprilis, 11 warrants were executed at homes and warehouses in Portugal and that the suspects apprehended mostly were foreigners.
The criminal network, according to the Spanish authorities, has earned more than three million euros for the owners from the products made in several "sweatshops" in Portugal.
The investigators believe that this was a "perfectly organised structure, led by a Moroccan based in Pontevedra where there were factories and warehouses making and handling counterfeit goods."
The knocked-off branded clothing and footwear was shipped and sold in streets and markets in many parts of Spain.
See also: Moroccan-owned sweatshops raided in Portugal
