EU Anti-fraud Office International Counterfeit Operation
Irish Customs were involved in an international operation organised by the EU Anti-fraud office (OLAF). The operation's aim was to identify counterfeit goods being shipped from China to the EU and was code-named FAKE. It took place over a 10 day period during May 2005 and debrief of the operation was held in Rome yesterday (08/11/2005).
Irish Customs were actively involved in this operation with all the other customs services. An examination of the table of seizures in the press release (see link below) shows Ireland (IE) mentioned as the country of destination for a consignment of counterfeit toothbrushes. The consignment never in fact reached Ireland. While there were no seizures in Ireland during the operational period, we did assist the Belgian Customs in the investigation into the toothbrushes. This type of international co-operation is the norm in customs operations where there is often collaboration between a number of States in a seizure.
For full details of the operation please use the link below.
[Ends 09/11/2005]