Customs and police authorities in Europe have seized about 6 million litres of illicit alcoholic beverages, wine and beer in a targeted action led by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). OLAF’s targeted action was part of Europol-Interpol operation OPSON XII
Every year, Europol-Interpol Operation OPSON targets counterfeit and substandard food and beverages, and food fraud in general. Similarly to previous years, OLAF took part in the operation and led a targeted action focused specifically on illicit alcoholic beverages. OLAF coordinated the activities of 24 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Norway.
As a result of the action, national customs and police authorities seized around 6 million litres of counterfeit, substandard or contraband alcoholic beverages, wine and beer.
OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä said: “OLAF acted as a coordinator and link between the national authorities of 24 countries. Together, we tackled illicit alcoholic drinks. The issue goes well beyond public revenue – we also protected the health and safety of European consumers as well as legitimate businesses. OLAF continues its good cooperation with Europol in operation OPSON and in many others”.
The twelfth edition of Operation OPSON was carried out worldwide from December 2022 to May 2023. More information on Operation OPSON XII is available in Europol’s press release.
press release – OLAF-MEDIA
