EUR 1 Million Worth of Counterfeits Seized in Joint Customs Operation ‘Fireblade’

In the period April 5–14, 2011, more than 28,000 pieces or pairs of counterfeit textile items and accessories worth approximately EUR 1,000,000 (USD 1,430,200) were seized along the European Union’s eastern border in a joint customs operation called Fireblade.

The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration organized the operation in cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office, the European Law Enforcement Agency, Europol and national customs offices. Several non-EU countries including Croatia, Ukraine and Moldova participated in the operation along with the EU member states.

Along with the fake apparel and accessories entering the EU from its eastern neighbors, the customs officials also detained large shipments of smuggled perfumes and cigarettes.

For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic at our Balkan Regional Office.

Source: Just Style, European Commission