The department confirmed today (June 11) that 96 people had been arrested in an operation spanning 33 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe, including the UK.
Operation Opson, run by Interpol and Europol, began in 2011 to tackle the criminal production and sale of counterfeit ‘protected food name’ products, such as gorgonzola or champagne had also netted more than 1,200t of fake or sub-standard food and nearly 430,000 litres of counterfeit drinks.
Threatened consumers’ health
Intellectual property minister Lord Younger said fake and sub-standard food threatened consumers’ health and deprived legitimate producers and retailers of revenue.
“The UK will continue to share its expertise in the international fight against fake food and work with our partners to bring these unscrupulous criminal gangs to justice,” said Younger.
The success of Operation Opson III, between December 2013 and January 2014, followed unprecedented cooperation between national and international law enforcement agencies and the food industry, he added.
The operation involved police, customs, national food agencies, regulatory bodies and private sector firms. Checks were carried out at shops, markets, airports, seaports and homes.
Organised criminal networks
Opson aims to: identify organised criminal networks behind the trafficking; develop practical cooperation between law enforcement, food and drug agencies and private companies and to raise awareness of the dangers of counterfeit and sub-standard foods.
Fake products intercepted during the operation included: oil and vinegar; biscuits; drinks and dairy products. See a fuller list below.
One swoop by trading standards officers in Scotland involved a lorry containing 17,156 litres of fake Glen’s vodka, involving duty and VAT of £269,300.
The figures were released by Young today at the International Intellectual Property Enforcement Summit in London.
The UK’s Intellectual Property Office is the designated lead for coordinating the UK’s response to Opson and works with the UK Food Standards Agency.
Fake food and drink recovered
- More than 131,000 litres of oil and vinegar
- More than 80,000 biscuits
- More than 1,200t of fake or sub-standard food
- Nearly 430,000 litres of counterfeit drinks
- 20t of spices and condiments
- 186t of cereals
- 45t of dairy products
- 42 litres of honey.
Source: Operation Opson