In a statement, the ASAE's National Unit for Information and Criminal Investigation explained that in recent weeks it has carried out several crime prevention operations targeting the manufacture and distribution of textile articles, within the scope of combating crimes of counterfeiting, imitation, and illegal use of trademarks.

As a result of the operations, the authority seized a total of over 214,270 clothing items bearing registered trademarks of great international prestige, textile accessories and transfers, stamps, prints, printing frames, metal applications, composition labels, as well as five sewing machines and a button-sewing machine, as they were used in the illicit activity.

ASAE (Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority) executed seven search warrants, both residential and non-residential, and four digital search warrants, resulting in the detention of four individuals.

Seven criminal proceedings were initiated for the offenses of counterfeiting, imitation, or illegal use of trademarks, as well as the sale or concealment of products, as defined and punishable under the Industrial Property Code.

The operations, which took place in the municipalities of Barcelos, Guimarães, Santo Tirso, and Fafe, targeted the textile and textile packaging industries, as well as the metal foundry industry dedicated to the production of metal appliqués, stamps, and dyes.