Browse Topics
Tools
Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home News Swiss News Counterfeiters fake Swiss rubbish bags

03/07/2009Counterfeiters fake Swiss rubbish bags

Police in Zurich uncover thousands of counterfeit Zueri-sacks smuggled in from Serbia.

Zurich -- Counterfeiters who already earn money from fake Swiss watches and army knives have now turned to making a business out of fake Swiss rubbish bags.

Police in the Swiss canton of Zurich said Thursday that they have uncovered thousands of counterfeit rubbish bags carrying the region's waste disposal tax and recycling label, smuggled in from Serbia.

Each 35 litre so-called "Zueri-sack" is sold at about CHF 2 (EUR 1.3, USD 1.8) as it includes a tax levied by the cantonal waste disposal and recycling authorities.

Waste disposal services in the canton only collect the pre-taxed bags.

"A 37-year-old man has over several months smuggled thousands of fake rubbish bags from Serbia to Switzerland where they are sold," said Zurich police in a statement, noting that the value of the offence reached CHF 26,000.

Cartons of trash bags were first discovered during border control checks on a tour bus coming from Serbia.

A Serbian man was found to have the fake bags at his grocery store in Zurich.

Police said experts found the fakes were "relatively good" but that the bag tears more easily compared to the Swiss originals.

The main difference between the two was the colour, said police, noting that the counterfeits carried a darker blue than the original "Zueri-blue."

Police appealed for people who may have the fakes to return them to the authorities, who will "replace them for free so that the rubbish can be correctly disposed of."

AFP / Expatica

0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Living in Switzerland

Anyone interested in starting a social club in Zurich?, by AshleyH

Living in Switzerland

Does anyone know Lausanne?, by poshgaffer

Living in Switzerland

house order rules in switzerland, by bluesfinger

CH Community Noticeboard

USA Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders, by Mavrik

Living in Switzerland

Do you live in Zurich, Winterthur, Biel, St. Gallen or Lucern?, by candaced

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Switzerland’s main cities

Switzerland’s main cities

Explore our guide to popular expat locations including Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lugano.

Finding the perfect family home in Zurich

Finding the perfect family home in Zurich

The Zurich branch manager of Network Relocation offers tips and info to help with the house hunt.

Switzerland country factbook

Switzerland country factbook

This in-depth profile of Switzerland includes geography, people, government, economy and transnational issues.

Insurance in Switzerland

Insurance in Switzerland

An introduction to compulsory and optional forms of insurance in Switzerland.