European law enforcement agency Europol has confiscated almost 200 tonnes of counterfeit pesticide as part of a major operation.

As part of the 12-day international operation Silver Axe, officers carried out 350 inspections of containers at major ports and airports in seven countries. As a result, law enforcement agencies from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and the Netherlands discovered 190 tonnes of illegal or counterfeit pesticides.

Over the course of the Operation, which took place over the second half of November, one hundred cases of infringements (including importing and selling counterfeit pesticides, transporting illicit products and making false declarations) were also detected, which led to the initiation of further investigations by the authorities, seven of which are still ongoing.

Commenting after the swoop on Friday, Europol's Deputy Director of Operations Wil van Gemert said, “This is another example of efficient borderless policing encouraged and supported by Europol. Alongside its partners, our agency works with a zero-tolerance policy against criminals who choose to endanger the lives of EU citizens.”

Various crop protection associations were involved, as counterfeiting affects patent-holding companies as well as end users.

Though pesticides are one of the most regulated products in the world today, and can only be traded and used in the EU if the products are proven safe and authorised, in many places there remains a lucrative illegal trade in these products.

Jean-Charles Bocquet, Director General of the European Crop Protection Association, also commented on the operation on Friday. He said, “Following the European Commission report of 2015, stating that illegal and counterfeit pesticides are present at an average of 10% in the EU, we very much welcome the opportunity to have taken part in such an important operation, and look forward to future collaboration with Europol and other EU authorities to put an end to the trade in counterfeit and illegal pesticides.”