La Guardia Civil investigates a 44-year-old man as the alleged perpetrator of a crime against industrial property after seizing 211 counterfeit clothing items in the municipal market of Cervera, in the province of Lleida.
The operation was carried out last April 17 during an inspection by the Fiscal and Border Section of Lleida. The agents detected the possible sale of t-shirts and polo shirts of recognized brands which, in the initial checks, could violate industrial property rights.
Garments valued at more than 24,000 euros
The seized material was valued at 24.280 euros and transferred for expert analysis. Later, the experts from the affected brands confirmed that they were counterfeit products.
The proceedings have already been sent to the Investigating Court of Cervera, which must continue with the investigation into these facts.
Second performance in less than a month
This is the second police intervention of this type in less than a month in the area. Last April 14, the same unit of the Guardia Civil had already seized 180 items of sports clothing with an estimated value of 19,090 euros.
The authorities recall that the commercialization of counterfeit products constitutes a crime against industrial property and underline the economic impact that this type of sale generates. Among its effects, they point out unfair competition towards companies that comply with their tax and labor obligations, the loss of income for the public Treasury and the destruction of jobs in the legal sector.
"Although often perceived as a harmless activity or a cheaper alternative, authorities insist that the purchase and sale of counterfeit products has significant legal and economic consequences for society as a whole" - Guardia Civil
The investigation remains open in Cervera awaiting the judicial proceedings derived from some inquiries that again place the focus on the street vending of counterfeits in the capital of Segarra.