INTERPOL Warns of Organized Crime Link to Counterfeit Goods Amid Rising Seizures
The National Customs Directorate has seized nearly two million counterfeit products so far this year, indicating a significant increase in such activities. This information was presented at the 'Intellectual Property Without Borders: Actions and Strategies' event in Montevideo, which included participation from INTERPOL, prosecutors, public bodies, and companies from Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay. Perfumes and cosmetics constitute a large portion of the confiscated items, with counterfeit sports jerseys, balls, glasses, hats, and footwear also seeing increased seizures. INTERPOL has warned that organized crime networks are behind the trade of counterfeit goods. Regional officer for South America, Diego Navarrete, stated that smuggling and counterfeiting are integral parts of organized crime structures, and seizures should be used to generate intelligence for transnational investigations. He noted that the business of counterfeit and unauthorized goods can generate higher revenues than drug trafficking, oft... 
