Gardaí seize fake Apple products worth €160,000

James Cox

Gardaí have seized fake Apple products worth €160,000 following searches in the west of Ireland.

Earlier this week, gardaí carried out a two-day Inter-agency search operation targeting Intellectual Property (IP) crime in the Castlebar, Westport, Ballinrobe and Claremorris areas.

This operation was conducted by Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Crime Unit, Mayo South Community Engagement, Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Intellectual Property Crime Investigation Unit of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

Assistance was provided by colleagues in Revenue Customs, Workplace Relations Commission and the Social Welfare Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

A number of business premises were searched as part of the operation and over 800 suspected counterfeit items were seized.

These items were fake Apple products (subject to examination) with an estimated loss of revenue of €160,000.

Gardaí said no arrests have been made as of yet.

"Intellectual property crime is estimated to cost the EU economy over €85 billion per year and can pose serious risks to public health, safety and job security," A Garda spokesperson said.