topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2270.63 -0.42
DAX 6788.8 0.59
IBEX 30 8902.1 0.60
CAC 40 3424.71 0.43
FTSE 100 5895.47 0.33
AEX 325.12 -0.06
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16653.83 -0.09
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4342.5 -0.34
Hang seng 21010.01 -0.04
Straits Times 2981.17 -0.03
ISEQ 20 503.71 0.33
You are here: Home News Swiss News Counterfeiters fake Swiss rubbish bags

Swiss News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


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

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Republicans Abroad Europe

Discuss Swiss Culture

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Finding your way in Switzerland

great bouvier in Switzerland. Forum, contacts, etc

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Residence and work permits in Switzerland

Residence and work permits in Switzerland

How to apply for a residency or work permit in Switzerland for you and your family.

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

Information about renting property and obtaining a mortgage in Switzerland.

Switzerland's healthcare system

Switzerland's healthcare system

Information about the Swiss healthcare system, health insurance, pharmacies and emergency numbers.

Banking in Switzerland

Banking in Switzerland

Explaining Swiss currency, banknotes, credit cards and bureaux de change.