The Government Subdelegate in Ourense, Eladio Santos, has commended the Guardia Civil and the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) for their successful operation that dismantled a criminal organisation dedicated to the distribution of counterfeit goods in the region. This recognition took place during a visit to the Guardia Civil Command on Tuesday, where Santos was accompanied by key officials including Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Berguillo, Captain Juan José López Castro, and Commander Abel Rodríguez.
Santos praised the "meticulous and rigorous work" carried out by both the Guardia Civil and the GNR, which was coordinated by Europol. The investigation, known as Operation Malabis, spanned 18 months and resulted in the arrest of six individuals linked to a transnational criminal group involved in the introduction, storage, and distribution of counterfeit products across Spain.
Emphasising the importance of international cooperation among law enforcement agencies, Santos stated, "Crime knows no borders, and neither should the response of those who ensure the safety of citizens." He noted that the investigation was led by the First Instance Court No. 1 of Xinzo de Limia, in collaboration with the Ourense Prosecutor's Office, which issued corresponding European investigation orders to facilitate simultaneous operations on both sides of the border.
The investigation revealed that the criminal group coordinated commercial activities, maintained contacts with intermediaries, and conducted sales from the towns of Verín and Xinzo de Limia. They also relocated much of their logistical operations to northern Portugal to obscure their activities and evade police control.
Authorities conducted twelve searches, including four in Verín, two in Xinzo de Limia, one in A Gudiña, and five in Portugal. To distribute the counterfeit goods to buyers throughout Spain, the network utilised both their own transport and frequent shipments through express courier companies, supplying independent commercial establishments and bazaars that acted as receiving points for the merchandise.
In total, more than 109,000 counterfeit items were seized, which the Guardia Civil described as having exceptional quality in terms of materials and finishing, with a market value exceeding €10 million. The six arrested individuals have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authority, which has ordered their imprisonment on charges of industrial property crimes, membership in a criminal organisation, and money laundering.
