Custom officers at Václav Havel Prague Airport have discovered thousands of counterfeit goods cases in the last year. 2,278 cases were found of violations of legal regulations, which is a third more than a year earlier.

Announced in a press release by custom spokeswoman Šárka Miškovská- she said that the illegal import of counterfeits, which accounted for about half of all detected cases, almost doubled year-on-year.

These counterfeit goods were taken by customs officers in 1,066 cases and their value was 93.2 million crowns. 

This has been a 30% increase in counterfeit goods in the last three years.

There has also been an increase in substances found which have a hormonal effect- 101 cases found in 2021 which is a 30% increase from 2020. 

Other substances found included anabolic steroids which were mainly tablets, capsules, or ampoules with the active substances Anastrozole, Methenolone-acetate, or Methandienone. 

The counterfeit goods found were mostly fake designer brands of bags, wristwatches, and jewelry which included (Rolex, Hublot, Michael Kors, Omega, Breitling, Patek Philippe or Cartier).

In addition, counterfeit shoes, clothes, wallets or handbags were found amongst these fake items including (Adidas, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Lauren, Hermes, Chanel, and Tommy Hilfiger). 

There has also been a large number of drug smuggling cases in the last year which includes the illegal transportation of narcotic and psychotropic substances. It was reported there was 507 cases in 2021.

These drugs were smuggled by mail which were in ordinary envelopes that were disguised as other goods. In 2021 the airport found 47 kilograms of cannabis; 8.3 kilograms of coca; 4.5 kilograms of ecstasy or 1.2 kilograms of cocaine.

Compared to figures in 2020, there has been a decrease in cases however these figures still remain a cause for concern.