In an unexpected twist, Mexico’s counterfeiting problem has taken a fizzy turn, with the unearthing of an illicit Coca-Cola manufacturing operation. Mexico City prosecutors announced on Wednesday that a clandestine facility was discovered in the city’s gritty east side, masquerading thousands of bottles under the world-renowned Coca-Cola brand.
The property, brimming with empty bottles and a select few filled with a dubious cola substitute, was a chilling reminder of the nation’s ongoing battle against piracy and brand forgery. Investigators unearthed hoses, pumps, and bottle-washing apparatus, indicating the criminals’ bold endeavor to create their own version of the iconic soft drink. Further evidence, including stolen delivery trucks, suggests that these counterfeit beverages were not confined to the factory’s walls but possibly made their way into the wider market.
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Prosecution spokesperson Ulises Lara shared that “this property was possibly being used to manufacture soft drinks with similar characteristics to a well known cola brand.” Around 780 full bottles and nearly 20,000 empty ones were discovered, ready to be refilled, raising questions about the reach of this counterfeit operation.
The matter is further complicated as it’s unclear if any of the counterfeit version of the beloved “Mexican Coke,” treasured for its cane sugar and glass bottles, had entered the export market. Coca-Cola FEMSA, the self-proclaimed “largest Coca-Cola franchise bottler in the world by sales volume,” based in Mexico, has not yet commented on the incident.
This alarming discovery comes on the heels of a scathing report by the U.S. trade representative that denounces Mexico’s weakening intellectual-property and anti-counterfeiting measures. The report highlighted the rampant presence of counterfeit goods in physical marketplaces, worsened by the involvement of transnational criminal organizations.
Regrettably, the report noted, enforcement activities such as raids seem to have dwindled in recent years. “Criminal investigations and prosecutions for trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy appear to be non-existent,” it stated. This situation is an urgent reminder of Mexico’s long-standing struggle with counterfeit goods, ranging from branded apparel and footwear to prescription medications.
The news of this counterfeit Coke operation is a startling illustration of the extent of Mexico’s piracy problem, requiring immediate and concerted action.
This article is based on an APNews article.
