120,289 sports shoes, 2,349 handbags, 1,192 emblems of various brands that were attached to the bags have been intervened, all this counterfeit material and ready for distribution.
Origin of the Investigations
The Civil Guard, in the so-called Operation Jarapero, developed between Torrevieja and Elche, has arrested 5 people for engaging in the import and distribution of counterfeit products. Almost 124,000 counterfeit items that had ended up distributed through the so-called manteros have been intervened.
The investigations originated in the month of March following complaints from merchants in Torrevieja about the proliferation of illegal products offered in the "top manta" on the promenade and in beach areas of Torrevieja. These complaints and the services that the Civil Guard directs against the illegal sale of counterfeit products, alerted about an increase in this type of articles in the area. The Main Post in Torrevieja, with the aim of identifying and arresting the ringleaders who distributed this illicit merchandise, initiated Operation Jarapero.
Exploitation and Discovery Phase
After intense surveillance, the agents identified an individual of Moroccan origin, resident in the municipality, who acted as an intermediary between the sellers of the “top blanket” and the suppliers of these products. The investigations led to several industrial buildings in an industrial estate in Elche, where warehouses of counterfeit products of internationally recognized brands were discovered.
In the exploitation phase of the operation, carried out in April, three industrial buildings were registered, intervening a total of 120,289 sports shoes, 2,349 bags and 1,192 emblems of various brands attached to the bags, all ready and prepared for distribution.
Modus Operandi and Arrests
The modus operandi of the sellers involved was to sell replica handbags of well-known brands along with the corresponding logos. Regarding the counterfeit sneakers, a piece of fabric was added to hide the brand logo, which was removed after the sale to reveal the fake.
During the operation, a 54-year-old individual of Moroccan origin was arrested, identified as the supplier of the counterfeit products to the sellers of the “top manta”, as well as four other people of Chinese origin and responsible for the registered vessels, three men and a woman aged between 40 and 67 years.
The detainees, together with the seized merchandise, have been placed at the disposal of the Guard Court of Elche for their alleged participation in a crime against industrial property. All of them have been released with the imposition of precautionary measures.
Commitment of the Civil Guard
The Civil Guard stresses the importance of citizen collaboration and reiterates its commitment to the fight against the sale of counterfeit products, thus protecting industrial property rights and legality in trade. In addition, it warns about the risks involved in the acquisition of counterfeit products, both for local commerce and for consumer safety and health.