BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An operation in South America targeting the trade of fake and pirated goods has resulted in the seizure of more than 11 million products and led to 104 arrests.
Operation Crete II (August to September 2024) brought together 12 countries to combat a range of intellectual and industrial property infringements. These included the illicit trade of counterfeit fashion items, medical products, as well as digital piracy. The operation, coordinated and supported by INTERPOL, focused on products that pose a threat to the health and safety of consumers.
The operation yielded seizures with an estimated value of USD 225 million. Among the millions of items confiscated were nearly 300,000 pharmaceutical products, including prescription-only medications such as vaccines, antidepressants and chemical precursors that can be used to manufacture illicit drugs.