Illegal trade has become one of the worst scourges in Greece . It has contributed to the closure of businesses and consequently, to the loss of innumerable job positions.
In conditions of prolonged economic crisis, the problem has become more threatening. “Illegal trade is a particularly lucrative branch of international organized crime activities,” stated the Police Chief and Director of the Athens Center Police Forces George Drosakis.
The networks of counterfeit product trafficking overlap with other illegal activities and constantly evolve, making use of new technologies and exploiting it in the best ways possible .
Available data from the Institute of Trade and Services (INEMY) of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce showed that illegal trade represents 30% of the total domestic trade. The annual turnover from these activities is estimated at 20 billion euros, with the loss of state revenues from VAT and taxes to touch the 8.5 billion euros. Despite the efforts of Police and Municipal Police Department which, over the past few months, have led to an increase in seizures up to 60% compared to previous years, the various illegal trade activities continue to grow all over the country.
Having confiscated a total of 21,990,722 units, Greece was on the top of the European ranking in 2009, followed by the Netherlands, Italy and Bulgaria, with significantly poorer results. The men of the Municipality, with sudden police operations, managed to seize illegal products from the ‘bazaars’ of Africans, who find refuge in the university asylum of Propylea and ASOEE. Imitation designer bags, footwear, textiles, sunglasses and all sorts of gadgets are available to passersby, who enjoy bargaining with the ”illegal” street-traders.
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