600 arrests in South America raids: Interpol

Interpol says police across South America have arrested more than 600 people and seized more than USD 50 million in fake goods, from soft drinks to sneakers, in raids aimed at breaking up counterfeiting networks.

Interpol says police across South America have arrested more than 600 people and seized more than USD 50 million in fake goods, from soft drinks to sneakers, in raids aimed at breaking up counterfeiting networks.

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The agency says the operation began in March, coordinated by the Lyon-based international police and World Customs organisations. It was the fifth in a series of operations that started in 2005.

There have been more than 300 raids in 13 South American countries, from Argentina and Brazil to Panama and Peru. An Interpol statement released today says that the goal of Operation Jupiter is to dismantle organised crime gangs behind the counterfeiting. It says that fake satellite receivers, car parts and substandard toys are being trafficked and put in the marketplace.