Crackdown on sale of counterfeit goods being sold on the beach

The Costa del Sol is to crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods on the beach. The Mancomunidad de Municipios on the Western Costa de Sol from Torremolinos to Manilva have put together a joint plan with the slogan, ‘Unity is Strength’. Under the plan cooperation between the local police and the eleven local councils is being stepped up, and they work together in outlying areas. The Vice President of the plan, Féliz Romero, said ‘The counterfeit sales are becoming a very serious problem, mainly in tourist areas, and at this time of the year the number increases dramatically’. He said that many of the sellers come from to Madrid to the coast ‘to make their august. The Mancomunidad says the practice is not only prejudicing the traditional shops as their sales fall, but some holidaymakers are bothered when someone comes to sell them something, and this gives an erroneous image of the coast. Félix Romero also thinks that the counterfeit sellers are also victims, often working as slaves in a mafia network which is exploiting them. There is another practice on the beach which is affecting the Alicante area in particular. Earlier this year 11 Chinese were arrested on the El Postiguet beach where they had been selling drinks, food, and giving massages. They charged between 10 and 20 € for a massage and those arrested have to find a 600 € fine. Barcelona has issued more than 4,000 fines for selling on the beach this year, upping the police pressure, and already doubling the same period in 2011.