Headlines
Spain, backed by France, dismantles crime gang and big fake-perfume factory
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Spain and France dismantled Europe's largest fake perfume factory, arresting seven and seizing materials worth over 94 million euros.
Spain and France Collaborate to Dismantle Major Fake-Perfume Operation
Dismantling the Criminal Operation
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Spanish law enforcement agencies backed by French customs agents have dismantled a criminal gang and seized what police said was the biggest fake-perfume factory in Europe, Catalan authorities said on Tuesday.
Details of the Operation
In a joint operation, the Catalan police and Spanish and French customs agents seized materials valued at more than 94 million euros ($111 million), the regional government said in a statement.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
It said seven people had been arrested for belonging to a criminal organisation, smuggling and offences relating to patent violation, and two warehouses storing a total of 1.2 million bottles of counterfeit perfumes had been seized.
Impact on the Fragrance Market
The regional government said the criminal organisation had generated scents to mimic the products of over 50 brands and stored raw materials to produce 150,000 litres of different fragrances, and transported large quantities of counterfeit perfume by road to other parts of Europe.
Authorities say the investigation is still open and that further arrests could be made.
($1 = 0.8460 euros)
(Reporting by Paolo Laudani, Editing by Aislinn Laing and Timothy Heritage)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain and France dismantled a major fake perfume operation.
- •Authorities seized materials worth over 94 million euros.
- •Seven arrests were made related to the criminal organization.
- •The operation involved over 50 counterfeit perfume brands.
- •Further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spain, backed by France, dismantles crime gang and big fake-perfume factory
1What is a criminal organization?
A criminal organization is a structured group of individuals who engage in illegal activities for profit, often involving drug trafficking, smuggling, or other forms of organized crime.
2What is a counterfeit product?
A counterfeit product is a fake item that is made to look like a genuine product, often violating trademarks and intellectual property rights.
3What is smuggling?
Smuggling is the illegal transportation of goods or people, typically across international borders, to avoid customs duties or other regulations.
4What is a patent violation?
A patent violation occurs when someone uses, makes, or sells a patented invention without permission from the patent holder, infringing on their intellectual property rights.
