Joint operation of the Tax Agency, National Police and Europol

• A man of Chinese nationality has been arrested for the sale of this material, which is believed to have reached a market value of more than 1,200,000 euros.
• Within the framework of the LUDUS III operation, led by Europol, against the illicit trade of toys at Christmas

December 5, 2022.- Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency and agents from the National Police, within the framework of the 'Ludus III' operation, led by Europol, have dismantled a network distributing counterfeit toys. As part of this operation, a man of Chinese nationality was arrested and 170,000 items were seized in Madrid, with a market value of over 1,200,000 euros.

The operation began last August when investigators learned of the existence of a large number of stuffed animals and toys in various warehouses and warehouses in the Cobo Calleja industrial estate that could be violating the industrial property rights of various brands.

Due to the proximity of the Christmas campaign, when fraudulent sales of toys usually proliferate, and given the possibility that they could be put on the market, a joint operation was established to inspect and, if necessary, seize the stored merchandise.

For this reason, a raid was carried out on a warehouse in the Cobo Calleja industrial estate in the town of Fuenlabrada (Madrid), where a large quantity of toys from well-known brands were found that allegedly infringed industrial property rights, as the owners lacked the documentation to prove their legitimate origin.

A market value of more than 1,200,000 euros

Following this discovery, the agents have seized a total of 169,320 items consisting of toys, stuffed animals and various items from well-known brands, with a market value of more than 1,200,000 euros. In addition, a Chinese citizen was arrested in this operation and charged with a crime against industrial property and another of smuggling.

This arrest took place within the framework of the 'Ludus III' operation, led by Europol, against the illicit trade of toys at Christmas.