Three Turkish nationals were arrested in Poland after police uncovered about 25 million zlotys worth of cosmetics bearing illegal trademarks.
Investigation Origins
The Central Police Command’s Economic Crime Fighting Section began tracking suspected counterfeit cosmetics in Pruszków County, suspecting warehouses that stored and introduced products with illegally applied trademarks of well‑known global brands.
Initial Arrest
On the first day of surveillance, police observed a property where two Turkish men, aged 26 and 62, claimed they possessed no prohibited items. When investigators entered the warehouse, they found almost 10,000 perfumes marked with unauthorized trademarks, valued at roughly 5 million zlotys.
Second Arrest and Bulk Seizure
The following day, a 42‑year‑old Turkish national was detained at a different site in the same village. Police seized nearly 16,000 cosmetic items—including powders, creams, lipsticks, foundations and kits—with illegally tampered trademarks, an estimated loss of 20 million zlotys for the affected companies.
Legal Framework and Penalties
All arrested individuals face charges under Article 305 of the Industrial Property Act, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment. Police also seized nearly 8,000 zlotys in cash as potential proceeds of the crime.
Prosecutorial Proceedings
The case is being handled by the Pruszków District Prosecutor’s Office.