France: Tens of thousands of counterfeit sneakers seized
In September 2024, investigators from the French police unit Brigade territoriale de contact (BTC) carried out a remarkable raid in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine in the north of the greater Paris region. The officers confiscated around 27,000 pairs of counterfeit sports shoes, which were piled high in a cramped storage box. The original market value of the seized counterfeits is estimated at around 3.5 million euros.
According to media reports, the counterfeits are imitations of Nike shoes, especially sneakers from the Air Force One and TN lines. While respective original products often cost between 120 and 200 euros, the counterfeits were apparently sold at the local flea market for 40 to 80 euros. It took police officers more than a day to count the counterfeits and clear out the counterfeiters' stash. The Bobigny public prosecutor's office had the counterfeits transported to a waste incineration plant for destruction.
The flea market in Saint-Ouen is the world's largest art and antiques market, according to the city. The goods sold there also include clothing, designer fashion, and shoes. Police officers are now trying to track down the owners of the counterfeit goods.
Source:
Le Parisien, Ouest France, Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen
Article in cooperation with the Anti-Piracy Analyst
