Thousands of Counterfeits Seized in Alcúdia – Police Deliver Tough Verdict

Major operation in peak season: Alcúdia cleans up

Early Tuesday morning, around 9:00 a.m., the response teams moved out on several streets around the Alcúdia harbor. I happened to be in a small café on the promenade—the espresso tasted a bit more bitter than usual, because police were everywhere. On site: officers from the local police, two members of the Guardia Civil, and three experts inspecting the goods.

What exactly was discovered

The tally sounds like a hit against the souvenir trade: a total of 7,705 items were confiscated—from football jerseys to handbags to backpacks. Many pieces apparently bore imitations of well-known brands. According to authorities, charges have been filed against several traders; it concerns suspicion of violations of intellectual property rights. There are seven criminal charges.

The checks focused on shops primarily catering to tourists. No wonder: between ice cream parlors, postcard stands, and beach shops the temptation to take a so-called bargain is high. Tourists often only realize at home that a label is not real—or that the quality is lacking.

Why this also concerns us here

The police stressed that it is not only about trademark protection but also consumer protection: counterfeit products can be of poor quality or unsafe. In addition, the illegal trade harms the island's image and competes unfairly with legitimate merchants.

In Palma, a stricter regulation has been in place since this summer: those who knowingly buy counterfeit goods from street vendors or in corresponding shops risk fines – in the region of roughly 100 to 750 euros. For traders, the penalties are higher: 750.01 to 1,500 euros, according to municipal regulations.

Some shop owners were surprised, others just shrugged. A market vendor near the harbor dryly said: “The real brands are expensive, but something like this puts us in a bad light.”

My tip, if you buy something next time on the beach or in the lanes: ask for the price right away, check labels and seams, and if in doubt, go to the official dealer. That protects your wallet in the long run – and saves trouble at customs.