Major Counterfeit Goods Seizure in Arrecife Highlights the Growing Problem of “Genuine Fakes” in Lanzarote

Arrecife, Lanzarote – September 2025 – Police in Lanzarote have dismantled one of the largest counterfeit clothing operations ever discovered in the Canary Islands. In a raid carried out by the Guardia Civil, officers seized thousands of fake products in Arrecife, uncovering a fully equipped illegal factory producing counterfeit designer clothing, sportswear, and footwear.

According to official reports, the warehouse contained a complete production line with ten industrial printing machines, a thermal press, and specialist equipment to stamp fake logos on trainers. More than a thousand boxes of counterfeit goods were found, along with labels and transfers ready to be applied to garments. Authorities estimate the seized items could have reached a market value of up to €8 million if sold to tourists and locals across the islands.

Four people were arrested in connection with the operation, with a fifth individual under investigation. Police also confiscated computer equipment, cash, and additional fake products from homes and a retail shop linked to the group. The Labour and Social Security Inspectorate has now launched a parallel investigation into possible employment and social security fraud.

The Normalisation of Counterfeit Goods in Lanzarote and Spain

While this latest seizure in Arrecife has made headlines, counterfeit products are nothing new for visitors to Lanzarote and other popular Spanish holiday destinations. Tourists will be familiar with market stalls packed with fake football shirts, imitation trainers, counterfeit handbags, and “designer” clothing at bargain prices.

In many resorts, particularly in the Canary Islands, it has become almost part of the holiday experience to pick up what locals often call “genuine fakes.” For years, visitors have laughed off the obvious imitations as cheap souvenirs—but the reality behind the trade is far more complex.

Street sellers often lay out a sheet of goods in busy areas, from Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen, only to scoop everything up and run when police approach. These so-called “looky looky men” are a common sight across Spain, from Lanzarote to Barcelona, Madrid and beyond. The game of cat and mouse between the sellers and police rarely seems to end.

Mr TravelON Questions: Is This Really Fair?

Commenting on the latest events, travel reporter Mr TravelON from the TravelON Studio asked whether this growing trade is really fair on local businesses.

“At the markets, at least stall holders pay rent, contribute to the local economy, and operate under some form of control,” he said. “But how is it fair for shop owners who pay rent, employ staff, and pay taxes—when right outside their doors, people can sell counterfeit goods, pay nothing, and walk away with the profits?”

Mr TravelON described the problem as being effectively “uncontrolled.” Police cannot spend all day moving sellers along, and within minutes of being cleared away, new sheets of fake designer bags and clothing appear again. “It’s a game the police will never win,” he added.

The Risks for Tourists and the Local Economy

Beyond fairness, experts warn that counterfeit goods carry real risks:

• Legal risks: In Spain, both selling and purchasing counterfeit goods is illegal and punishable with fines.
• Economic damage: Counterfeits undermine legitimate retailers and manufacturers, costing jobs and tax revenue.
• Safety risks: Poor quality materials and unsafe dyes can make fake goods hazardous to wear.
• Tourism reputation: The sight of constant street hawking can harm Lanzarote’s image as a safe, professional, and family-friendly destination.

A Cat-and-Mouse Game Without an End

The Arrecife factory raid may have taken millions of euros’ worth of fake goods out of circulation, but for holidaymakers in Lanzarote, counterfeit markets and street sellers remain a familiar sight.

The question now is whether more can be done to strike a balance between enforcement and reality—or whether “genuine fakes” are destined to remain part of the holiday experience in Lanzarote, Spain, and destinations around the world.