Brits buying fake designer goods in Spain face £170 fine this summer
Tourists buying fake designer items in Spain could be looking at a hefty fine if they're caught.
The country is reportedly looking to impose fines up to £170 if they are found buying fake designer goods that could see a major decrease in premium brand knock-offs seen on beaches this summer.
A staple of most British holidays, it'll be a shame to see the likes of 'Guci' and 'Luis Vuittone' absent from our holiday getaways this year.
It turns out that the crack-down will primarily be on unlicensed vendors, with police officers waiting in the wings to bust any law-breakers.
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But they aren't ordinary officers, they will be undercover and dressed like anyone else who will be visiting the streets of Costa Blanca.
The Costa Blanca region covers over 200km (124 miles) in the Alicante province, covering the city of the same name, Benidorm and Elche to name a few hot holiday destinations.
Unsuspecting shoppers will be slapped with penalties if they're caught part-taking in the illegal sales of these items, as authorities have began to take action against illegal street sellers.
Something small like sunglasses or something bigger and more obvious like trainers or handbags could land you in hot water, as tourists are often attracted to the low prices of these products that look strikingly similar to the originals.
But it's worth fighting the urge if you're going on holiday to Costa Blanca this year, as it may cost you £170 of your hard-earned cash.
Known as 'plain-clothed police', they will be patrolling the cities throughout the peak summer holiday period, and culprits will brutally be hit with an immediate fine of up to €200 (£170), according to Birmingham Live.
These sellers in Spain are known as 'manteros' or 'top mantas' as they usually show their goods on top of blankets, spread out on the street.
The Guardia Civil recently confiscated tonnes of counterfeit products from a warehouse in Alicante that was set to be used for street sellers.
Eduardo Jorge Dolón Sánchez, the mayor of the city of Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca coast, has requested an increase in police this summer to enforce this new law, with his city seeing the population more than double to around half a million in peak months.
Although, there are also shouts on Spains Costa del Sol for even harsher penalties for those who buy things from people called 'looky looky men'.
They are wandering street vendors, seen peddling clothing, souvenirs and counterfeit items to holiday goers in Spain, but often operate without a license.
It is alleged by the local Association of Traders and Businessmen that real shop owners in the coastal holiday town of Benalmadena are losing around 20 to 30 percent of their profits to these illegal sellers.
LADbible has reached out to Eduardo Jorge Dolón Sánchez and the Guardia Civil for comment.
Joshua Nair