Over 70,000 counterfeit goods seized in EU

Over 70,000 counterfeit goods were seized during a Joint EU Customs Operation code-named "ERMIS", noted an European Commission statement here Monday.
The operation focussed on postal and courier mail traffic, to identify fake products shipped through small consignments.
ERMIS was carried out in March by the Greek Customs Administration and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and also involved customs experts from the EU Member States, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.
Customs authorities performed intensified controls and exchange of intelligence on parcels coming into the EU from third countries, via mail.
The goods varied in nature from mobile phones, sunglasses, and small vehicle small parts, to medicines and pharmaceutical products. Most goods were found to come from the Far East.
Algirdas Semeta, EU Commissioner responsible for Customs and Anti-Fraud, said in press statements that "counterfeit products put our consumers at risk and our businesses at a disadvantage.
"Strong cooperation, efficient information exchange and effective targeted actions, involving all enforcement authorities, is essential to tackle those who smuggle fakes. This operation did just that, and the outcome shows the great results this yields."