Major operation against the "top manta" in Roses with 250 police officers and at least one arrest.

GironaThe Civil Guard, in collaboration with the Mossos d'Esquadra (Spanish police), the National Police, and the Local Police, launched a joint major operation against street vendors in Roses this Monday morning. A total of around 250 police officers participated in one of the largest operations carried out so far in the municipality.

During the operation, which lasted more than eight hours, searches were carried out in storage rooms and homes near the Santa Margarida seafront, an area where street vendors typically set up stalls. The objective of the operation, the result of months of prior investigation, was to intercept merchandise at distribution points, and thousands of kilos of fraudulent merchandise were seized, still awaiting inventory. The police also arrested a 53-year-old man, who is being investigated for industrial property offenses and trademark counterfeiting. Until the investigation is concluded, further arrests cannot be ruled out. If those involved are in the country illegally, they could also be subject to immigration proceedings.

Especially during the months of July and August, the sale of counterfeit products, on the street and at low prices, is very common. This Monday's operation, which stands out for its magnitude, is part of a campaign promoted by the municipal government, which since last summer has maintained a tough and continuous strategy against the blanket top, with multiple operations and thousands of kilos of products confiscated each summer.

According to the City Council, thanks to its surveillance and control plan, this activity has been reduced by 20% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Currently, it is estimated that there are up to 232 active sales structures, which can mobilize around 800 people between vendors and transporters.

300 euro fine for buyers

This year, the city council has reinforced its efforts with complementary measures to calm the circulation of bicycles and electric scooters on the promenade, thus facilitating police operations. In addition to the mobility restrictions, the city council has deployed new signage with informational brochures and awareness campaigns aimed at street vendors, warning them of the penalties associated with doing business with street vendors. In fact, this summer, a dozen people have already been fined €300 for buying counterfeit sneakers, sports shirts, or bags from street vendors in Roses.

Its proximity to the French border, which facilitates the arrival of counterfeit goods, combined with the large influx of tourists in summer and the long promenade, have turned Roses into the epicenter of street vending on the Costa Brava. The street vendors don't stand on the port promenade, which has the road right in front and is easy to patrol, but rather further south, opposite the more hidden and elusive Santa Margarida beach.

At this spot, every day, from midday until after dinner, hundreds of street vendors scatter sacks of very tasty products for residents and tourists. However, most of the street vendors don't reside in Roses year-round, but come for the summer season from France or other parts of Spain, such as Andalusia.