Editor’s Note
The Royal Gendarmerie in Essaouira province seized over 60 kg of suspected counterfeit and expired cosmetics and quasi-medical products, arresting three individuals, including a woman, for alleged distribution.
Elements of the Royal Gendarmerie at the Taftasht territorial center, in the province of Essaouira, seized more than 60 kilograms of cosmetics and quasi-medical products suspected of being counterfeit and expired. Three individuals, including one woman, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the distribution of these products.
The operation followed investigations by the Royal Gendarmerie after detecting the circulation of counterfeit products bearing the visual identity of a well-known brand, coordinated with its legal representative, who provided data that helped investigators trace the distribution path and identify several suspects.
Searches conducted as part of the case resulted in the seizure of 60.36 kilograms of cosmetics and quasi-medical products, packaged in cardboard boxes and prepared for distribution, suggesting they were destined for sale in markets and shops.
These products raise concerns about consumer safety, given the suspicion that they are expired and counterfeited outside approved manufacturing and control channels, in addition to bearing trademarks without authorization from their owners.
In a related context, the owner of the original trademark announced their intention to pursue legal procedures and prosecute the suspects in court, to protect their commercial rights and combat the exploitation of their brand in promoting non-original products.
By order of the competent public prosecutor’s office, one suspect was placed in police custody, while the other two were released pending further investigation after being heard in legal proceedings.
Investigations and searches continue to arrest the main suspect, uncover the source of the seized materials and their distribution channels, and identify any other extensions or individuals potentially linked to this activity.