The Tax Authority is after goods and passenger vehicles in a large scale operation throughout June to check transport documents, delivery notes and the use of illicit diesel.
The Ministry of Finance said today that this is "one of many actions" that have been developed and are ongoing to meet its strategic objective of combating fraud, tax and customs evasion and the black economy.
The Tax Authority is looking at goods vehicles in general, as well as passenger cars, to catch and fine those travelling with illicit goods or using agricultural diesel instead of the fully taxed variety.
In a continuing effort to stamp out those counterfeit goods that are freely available in most of Portugal’s outdoor markets, the Security Police detained 12 people in Lagos last Thursday who were in possession of clothing with top brand labels.
Four nationals and eight foreigners were arrested in an operation assisted by the Maritime Police and a clothing counterfeiting expert.
The police swooped on vans carrying items, including branded clothing, that were going to markets for sale at far less than the price had they been authentic brands.
The men, between 26 and 54-years-old, had “various branded items for sale which gave strong indications of being counterfeited."
After an analysis made by the branding expert, the suspects were arrested.
The PSP seized 1,276 items including bags, wallets, caps, towels, headphones, belts and sports shoes.
The District Command of the PSP in Faro said that "in the space of two weeks, PSP officers have intensified their monitoring activity,” and had made three swoops resulting in arrests for carrying or selling counterfeit goods.
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These changes would release the manpower of the police to deal with real crime, and real threats to public safety.