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PROCON seizes more than 11 tons of products suspected of being counterfeit

An operation carried out by PROCON, the Military Police, and the State Secretariat for Consumer Protection (SEDCON) seized 11.8 tons of items suspected of being counterfeit, such as clothing, footwear, accessories, and perfumes sold illegally. The operation, called Operação Malha Fina, was launched last Tuesday (2) and aims to combat the sale of irregular products.

Procon conducts operation

The task force raided an establishment located in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro, which had already been inspected previously and was still under surveillance. According to the State Secretary for Consumer Protection, Gutemberg Fonseca, the impact of piracy goes far beyond intellectual property infringement.

“Piracy is not just commercial fraud. It puts consumers at risk. When a product is counterfeit, there is no quality control, no guarantee, and no safety. Our job is to prevent these items from reaching the public and causing damage to health, safety, and life,” says Fonseca.

Damages caused by piracy

Data from the National Forum Against Piracy show that in 2024 alone, piracy, smuggling, and counterfeiting caused half a trillion reais in losses to the country. Sectors such as beverages, with losses of R$ 85 billion, and fuels, with R$ 29 billion, were also heavily affected.

“Every pirated product that enters the market pushes down the formal economy, destroys jobs, and finances criminal networks. We are talking about a loss that suffocates entire sectors and takes away essential investments from areas such as health, education, and public safety. Fighting piracy means defending citizens and the future of the state,” concludes Gutemberg Fonseca.

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