250m pirated goods seized

A RECORD number of counterfeit goods were discovered by customs officials at the EU’s external borders in 2006 with a 330% increase in the number of fake and pirated articles seized over the previous year.

New figures published by the European Commission yesterday revealed that 250 million counterfeit articles were confiscated last year compared with 75 million items in 2005.

Tobacco products and medicines as well as other goods that can seriously damage the health of consumers, such as products for personal care, continue to be faked in large quantities, according to EU officials.