Garda seizes 4,000 TV set-top boxes in a nationwide operation targeting infringements in intellectual property and counterfeit products

The search, part of Operation Aphrodite, a nationwide operation coordinated by Europol, turned up 6,340 counterfeit or copyrighted items. The operation was carried out in collaboration with police forces in more than 20 countries.

An Garda Síochána and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) led operations in Ireland and Italy through the Italian Finance Corps.

In Ireland, investigations were conducted in Dublin, Waterford, Tipperary, Mayo and Laois.

Operation Aphrodite specifically targeted intellectual property infringement. GNBCI says they have been in contact with the industry to obtain evidence of property rights infringement online.

Operation Aphrodite has so far found a total of 4,200 websites selling copyrighted material in and outside the EU.

Some of the products seized during the investigation included counterfeit computer batteries and accessories, phone parts and accessories, different types of clothes, including sportswear and footwear, and illicit set-top boxes.

Garda seized more than 4,000 TV set-top boxes in Dublin and the Midlands as part of an operation across Europe aimed at curbing the sale of counterfeit television products.

The GNBCI acted as a national contact point for the investigation and collected evidence. It was then handed over to the local guard for further investigation.

The Garda reported that they had carried out 14 personal investigations into the sale of counterfeit and copyrighted material.

GNBCI said the investigation files are currently being prepared for consideration by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).