Customs Surveillance agents have intervened 2,000 counterfeit World Cup shirts in a warehouse in Humanes and another 1,200 in Getafe, where a demand factory operated with 12 machines.
The Tax Agency has dealt a blow to the illegal trade of counterfeit sportswear in the Community of Madrid. In two consecutive operations, Customs Surveillance officials dismantled two warehouses in Humanes and Getafe, seizing a total of 3,200 fake shirts from teams participating in the 2026 World Cup.
A demand factory in Getafe
The first intervention took place on June 1 in a warehouse in Getafe, where agents discovered a genuine counterfeiting factory. Inside, twelve machines were operating: six for textile printing and another six for ironing the designs. The machinery, valued at around 300,000 euros, had an estimated production capacity of at least 800,000 garments annually.
According to sources from the Ministry of Finance, the organization manufactured the shirts on demand, without maintaining stock. This novel system in Spain allows evasion of customs controls by producing within the European Union. "This is the first time we have detected a demand production scheme in national territory," the investigators explain.
In this warehouse, 1,200 counterfeit garments ready for distribution were seized. The investigation was supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which coordinates a specific campaign against the illegal trade of counterfeit products during the World Cup.
2,000 more shirts in Humanes
On June 19, agents acted in a logistics warehouse in Humanes, where they seized nearly 2,000 fake shirts from World Cup teams. This operation is part of the intensified investigations during the tournament and is part of the same European campaign by OLAF.
The seized shirts imitated those of several participating teams, although the Treasury has not specified which ones. Agents suspect that the garments were distributed through online channels and markets in the region, directly affecting the image rights of the teams and the local economy.
The Ministry of Finance has warned that counterfeiting "harms innovation, employment, and public health," as these products do not meet quality controls. Therefore, it recommends that citizens "purchase products through official channels and report any suspicions."
A business that grows with the World Cup
The celebration of the World Cup drives up the demand for team shirts, and with it, the counterfeiting networks. In the Community of Madrid, operations against such crimes have intensified in recent weeks. Collaboration with OLAF has been key to identifying routes and production methods.
Investigators believe that the two dismantled warehouses could be linked to the same organization. The machines in Getafe allowed for rapid and personalised production, while the warehouse in Humanes served as a logistical storage for distribution. "By manufacturing on demand, they reduce the risk of being detected with large stocks," sources from the investigation point out.
For the Madrid fan wanting to get a shirt of their team, the recommendation is clear: buy only from official stores or the corresponding federation's website. Counterfeits, in addition to being illegal, are usually of inferior quality and do not guarantee the safety of the fabrics.
You may also like
