The Investigation Service of Georgia’s Ministry of Finance says two Turkish citizens have been arrested on charges of illegally producing and selling counterfeit washing powder bearing the trademarks of major international brands.
The arrests followed operational-search and investigative activities conducted in coordination with the Kvemo Kartli Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators allege the suspects set up an illegal production facility in the Kvemo Kartli region, where they manufactured washing powder and sold it using counterfeit trademarks, including ‘ABC,’ ‘Ariel,’ ‘Tide’ and ‘Persil.’
Law enforcement officers say they seized 1,325 packages of washing powder prepared for sale and bearing the alleged fake trademarks.
Officers also confiscated 5,818 empty branded detergent packages, 632 bags of low-quality washing powder, 28 bags of salt, flavorings, dyes, and technical equipment allegedly used to produce and package the products.
The Interior Ministry says the investigation is continuing to identify other people allegedly involved in the operation and to determine which retail outlets may have sold the counterfeit products.
The case is being investigated under Article 196, Part 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of three to five years upon conviction.
