From ports to social media, how Interpol and authorities disrupt the counterfeit supply chain

For thousands of shoppers around the world, buying a cut-price fake may seem like harmless fun but the sale of counterfeit products often funds criminal networks.

For years, cheap copies have flowed into the UAE to end up on sale at street markets and in shops like those in Karama.

Today, however, that supply line is being dismantled, with global law enforcement winning the fight against fakes.

“By attacking the distribution networks and disrupting production at the source, participating countries have contributed towards globally protecting people from potentially unsafe goods,” said Tim Morris, Interpol’s executive director of police services.

“This is dismantling illegal networks that are often connected to other forms of serious crime.

“The sheer volume of seizures and follow-up investigations generated by these simultaneous global operations are testimony to the fundamental role of Interpol in shaping a co-ordinated response in regional and international operations. It’s all about collaboration.”

Between March and May, Interpol led anti-counterfeit operations in 36 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America to splinter the global trade.

Seizures included 7.2 million counterfeit and illicit items weighing more than 120 tonnes, and 90,000 litres of liquids. National authorities also identified major trade routes and shut down points of sale as well as laboratories.

The private sector has also joined the attack. In March, Al-Futtaim Toyota and the government carried out eight raids on counterfeit car part dealers across the emirates.

The net gain was the confiscation of 178,781 fake car parts worth Dh4.2 million.

In Saudi Arabia, Interpol’s Operation Qanoon led authorities to detect, investigate and shut down 100 social media accounts used to distribute counterfeit medical products and unlicensed cosmetics and herbal remedies.

At the port of Aqaba in Jordan, authorities seized a container from India containing 500,000 antalgic pills bound for Iraq, which could have had fatal consequences had they reached the black market.

The UAE has played an important role in the global effort against to take on counterfeiters. Last year the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection division of the Department of Economic Development seized 26.2 million counterfeit items.

Although it was a lower haul than the previous year, the street value was higher because of more luxury items.

Shoes topped the list, with 51,144 pairs worth about Dh400m – 37 per cent of the total. Bags and other leather products were next, with 337,212 pieces worth Dh72.1m, followed by 2.2 million cigarettes worth Dh338.7m.

Up to 5.9 million pieces of fake cosmetics worth Dh61.3m and 3.6 million telephone accessories worth Dh50m were also found.

“The diversity and market value of the counterfeit goods seized in 2017 is a major achievement compared to 2016,” said Ibrahim Behzad, director of intellectual property rights at the department.

“Counterfeit goods pose a threat to human health and the living environment.”