15 suspects were arrested in Belgium, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Israel for manufacturing and importing fake watches in the "Diamond District", Europol reports.
Europol has supported a large-scale operation by Belgian law enforcement agencies to eliminate an Israeli organized criminal group. The criminal organization allegedly manufactured and imported fake luxury watches and diamonds to the" Diamond District " of Antwerp. The successful operation resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects in Belgium (11), Israel (2), the Netherlands (1) and Slovakia (1).
During the investigation on March 12, authorities also conducted 26 searches in Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands and Slovakia, as a result of which the following items were seized::
165 luxury watches with certificates, jewelry and other counterfeit products;
200 diamonds;
209,000 euros in cash;
Cryptocurrency registers;
Weapons;
14 kg of drugs;
Several electronic devices, including phones and computers;
Credit cards and financial documentation.
Got caught on cocaine
The investigation began in 2022, when police intercepted a parcel containing 600 grams of cocaine destined for Israel in Brussels. A subsequent investigation revealed that a large criminal organization involved in drug trafficking was also engaged in counterfeiting luxury goods. According to law enforcement agencies, the criminal network produced fake luxury watches outside the EU, mixing original parts with fake components to mislead potential customers.
Their products were imported to Belgium and brought to the market there. In addition to confusing shoppers, this approach also undermines the reputation of Antwerp's "Diamond District" and calls into question the unique certification applied to these luxury goods that buyers trust.
The suspects were also involved in trafficking cocaine and synthetic drugs around the world. They also laundered money through sophisticated schemes, including cryptocurrencies, illegal banking systems, and real estate reinvestment, especially in Portugal.
• Source: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media...tion-counterfeiting-luxury-watches-in-antwerp
Europol has supported a large-scale operation by Belgian law enforcement agencies to eliminate an Israeli organized criminal group. The criminal organization allegedly manufactured and imported fake luxury watches and diamonds to the" Diamond District " of Antwerp. The successful operation resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects in Belgium (11), Israel (2), the Netherlands (1) and Slovakia (1).
During the investigation on March 12, authorities also conducted 26 searches in Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands and Slovakia, as a result of which the following items were seized::
165 luxury watches with certificates, jewelry and other counterfeit products;
200 diamonds;
209,000 euros in cash;
Cryptocurrency registers;
Weapons;
14 kg of drugs;
Several electronic devices, including phones and computers;
Credit cards and financial documentation.
Got caught on cocaine
The investigation began in 2022, when police intercepted a parcel containing 600 grams of cocaine destined for Israel in Brussels. A subsequent investigation revealed that a large criminal organization involved in drug trafficking was also engaged in counterfeiting luxury goods. According to law enforcement agencies, the criminal network produced fake luxury watches outside the EU, mixing original parts with fake components to mislead potential customers.
Their products were imported to Belgium and brought to the market there. In addition to confusing shoppers, this approach also undermines the reputation of Antwerp's "Diamond District" and calls into question the unique certification applied to these luxury goods that buyers trust.
The suspects were also involved in trafficking cocaine and synthetic drugs around the world. They also laundered money through sophisticated schemes, including cryptocurrencies, illegal banking systems, and real estate reinvestment, especially in Portugal.
• Source: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media...tion-counterfeiting-luxury-watches-in-antwerp
