Counterfeit motor oil uncovered in Riga: 140,000 litres, losses of 282,000 euros
The State Police have submitted a case to the prosecutor's office concerning the production of counterfeit motor oil in Riga — 140,000 litres were seized, and two men have been identified as suspects.
A Riga factory produced counterfeit motor oil bearing GM, Mobil 1, and Castrol brands
Google News LV — Crime (lv) reports that the State Police have submitted to the Riga North Prosecutor's Office a criminal case concerning trademark counterfeiting and the distribution of counterfeit goods on a large scale. Two men have been identified as suspects — a man born in 1982, the true beneficiary of the enterprise, and a man born in 1983, an employee of the enterprise.
On 27 January 2025, law enforcement officers from the State Police Riga Regional Division discovered that counterfeit motor oil production was taking place in industrial premises in Riga. During a search, 140,000 litres of counterfeit motor oil bearing the trademarks "GM" (General Motors), "Mobil 1", "Castrol" and "Ford Motorcraft" were seized. A mechanical production line for plastic bottles, bottle moulds, packaging with corks, and empty container samples were also confiscated.
The investigation established that both men organised and directed the trademark counterfeiting, as well as the production and distribution of counterfeit goods outside the territory of the Republic of Latvia. The counterfeit motor oil was supplied and sold in shops in Italy. As a result of the criminal activity, losses amounting to 282,289.14 euros were caused to the affected companies.
Law enforcement has information that for the motor oil production, the suspects hired both Latvian citizens and individuals from countries outside the European Union. Neither of the suspects had previously come to the attention of the police.
The criminal case has been classified under Article 206, Section 3 of the Criminal Law — for unlawful use of a trademark, counterfeiting, or intentional distribution of a counterfeit mark on a large scale or within an organised group. This offence is punishable by imprisonment of up to six years, deprivation of the right to engage in commercial activity for up to five years, and probation supervision for up to three years or without it.
In the criminal case, arrest warrants have been issued for two immovable properties valued at 157,500 euros and four vehicles valued at 311,250 euros. A decision has also been made to initiate proceedings concerning the application of coercive measures against a legal entity.
On 14 August, Section 1, Department 3 of the Criminal Police Division of the State Police Riga Regional Division sent the case to the Riga North Prosecutor's Office to initiate criminal prosecution. The State Police reminds that no person is considered guilty until their guilt has been proved in the manner prescribed by law.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)