NNaples – An operation by the Naples Financial Police has seized over 2 million counterfeit and hazardous cosmetics, resulting in the arrest of 15 people in a raid that targeted retail and wholesale stores in Naples, Portici, Ercolano, and San Giorgio a Cremano.
The investigation, which also started from monitoring social networks, uncovered a vast trade in products cosmetics containing "lilial," a banned substance classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic to reproduction. Among the seized goods were costume jewelry, toys, and religious items, many of which counterfeited well-known brands or cartoon and TV series characters.
The Portici Company's financial police have reported nine individuals at large for counterfeiting and product safety violations, while six others have been reported to the Chamber of Commerce for administrative fines of up to 9 euros.
The operation highlights a growing problem: the purchase of low-cost, often counterfeit, products that attract consumers with their low prices but hide serious health risks. Cosmetics, toys, and other items sold at rock-bottom prices, especially in poorly controlled retail environments, can contain harmful substances like "lilial," exposing shoppers to silent but devastating dangers.
The Naples case highlights a scourge that is intensifying in high-traffic areas, such as local markets and online platforms, where controls are often insufficient. Consumers, driven by convenience, risk compromising their health, while honest merchants suffer from unfair competition from those trafficking dangerous goods.
The authorities urge people to pay attention to the origin of the products and to be wary of overly tempting offers, underlining the urgency of strengthening controls to stem a phenomenon that puts everyone's safety at risk.
Article published on 12 July 2025 - 12:12
