Counterfeit cosmetics ring uncovered by police

The Economic Crimes Unit of the Łódź police force has broken up a counterfeit cosmetics production organization and arrested the group's leader, Łódź's police spokesperson Joanna Kącka announced on Tuesday. The operation, which included complete lines of production and packaging, as well as storage facilities, involved four sites across the city and was said to be worth PLN 13 million. A 44-year-old man suspected of masterminding the dealings was arrested. He was, the police said, found amongst "thousands of bottles of perfume, lipstick, blush and semi-finished products," the police statement said. Police officers from the special unit provided evidence that the fake cosmetics and perfumes were offered to customers mainly through auctions. The police added that the arrested, as well as his accomplice, could face up to five years imprisonment for committing forgery and illegal use of proprietary trademarks, if convicted in court.