Operation OPSONOrganised Crime and food fraud

Technology Transfer Seminar

Dublin - 26 June 2015

Agenda

Context

Operation OPSON

Case examples

Next steps

Europol, the European Law Enforcement Agency

European AgencyCouncil decision of 06 April 2009 establishing the European Police Office

(2009/371/JHA)

Entered into force on 01/01/2010

Objectives“to support and strengthen action by

the competent authorities of theMember States and their mutualcooperation in preventing andcombating organised crime,terrorism and other forms of

serious crime affecting two ormore Member States”.

HQ in The Hague, NL

A joint cooperation

Operation OPSON

Joint operation

Cooperation between

Europol and INTERPOL

Gathering public authorities and privatepartners

2

0

1

3

2

0

11

2

0

1

22 0 1 4

A joint cooperation

2 0 1 4

2 0 1 5

Debriefing meeting//Launch meeting in Prague

Objectives

Protecting public health

Fighting against organised crime

Enhancing international cooperation

Enhancing national cooperation

Enhancing public private cooperation

Participating countries OPSON IV

In total

47 Countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,Croatia, Czech Republic,

Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia,Finland, France, Greece,

Hungary, Ireland, Italy,Latvia, Lithuania,Luxembourg, The

Netherlands, Portugal,Romania, Spain, Sweden,

United Kingdom

AfricaBenin, Bostwana,

Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire,Kenya, Rwanda, South

Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania,Uganda

Asia

Australia, ThailandThe Philippines,

South Korea, Vietnam

America

Colombia, Ecuador,Paraguay, Peru,Uruguay, USA

Europe

Belarus, Iceland,Norway, Turkey

Middle East

Egypt

EU Countries Non EU Countries

Participants – Private Partners

CIVC ColgatePalmolive

Consorzio diTutela

Gorgonzola

Consorzio diTutela

Prosecco

UnaprolConsorzioOlivicoloItaliano

Ferrero Spa

IFSP MoëtHennessy

Nestlé REACT Danone ConsejoRegulador de

Tequila

ScotchWhisky

Association

The CocaCola company

GSK Unilever Red Bull Mars

Mondelez

Results

Global figures OPSON IV

Tonnes : 11,591.76

Litres: 814,563.19

Pieces: 1,233,911

Products Seized or withdrawn from markets

Global results

Chart 3

Case examples

• Intelligence from right holder :sales of counterfeit bottles of Champagne

in bars and discos around Naples

• Investigations by Italian LEAs

• Connections with Spain and UK

• Operational meeting at Europol

• Dismantlement of the

illicit factories in Italy

• Operational support in UK

Operation Agracejo

Operation Agracejo

Operation Agracejo

Results in Italy: 3 persons arrested, 24 persons reported to police

MOET VCPOTHE

RTOTAL

BOTTLES 3,449 324 3,829

LABELS/TIES/COLLARS 3,437 31,600 1,042 36,079

CORKS/AGRAFE/CAPS/FOILS

1,800 42,000 43,800

PRINTED BOXES 1,100 3,679 1 4,780

TOTAL 88,515

Seizure in Belgium 2013

Operation Aspersa

• OCG involved in the illicit trade of snails

• Illegal immigrants collecting snails in woods and forests

• Snails sold to legitimate companies

• 24 persons in custody

• 14 premises searched

• 4,5 tons of snails seized

Frozen fish

• Frozen fish and seafood sold as fresh

• Sprayed with chemicals to make it look fresh

• Substance contained citric acid, phosphate andhydrogen peroxide

• 30 tons of seized seafood

• Investigation initiated with Spain

Other examples

Chile

Seizure of fake Stevia and fake foodsupplements

Value: ±4 120 000 Euros

Qatar

Seizure

170.000 bottles of beverage withexpired validity dates + hot-stamp

printer used to print new expirydates

Food fraud as a priority at EU level

• A food fraud network has been created by EU COM

• The fight against OCGs involved in the production anddistribution of counterfeit goods with an impact on healthand safety = priority at EU level in the fight against OC

• European Parliament adopted a resolution on food fraud

• European council (JHA) adopted conclusions on the role oflaw enforcement cooperation in combating food crime.

How can you protect your business?

Assess your supply chain

Listen to your customers

Gather intelligence

Think as a criminal

IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!

How can you protect your business?

Strategic intelligence

Threats on products, brands, areas

Contact points

easily reachable in case of suspiciousproducts, local if possible

Operational intelligence

personal data : companies,individuals, phones numbers…

Trainings

on products, regulations, areas…

Our commitments

CONFIDENTIALITY

LIAISON WITHLEAs

Conclusion

Thank you for your attention

EUROPOL - FP Copy