Police seize £3m counterfeit haul
Wednesday, 25 Jul 2007 11:04
Police carried out four operations
Greater Manchester police (GMP) have seized £3 million worth of counterfeit goods in a series of raids on business premises.
As a result of the raids, 13 people have been arrested under the Fraud Act for selling counterfeit goods.
Four operations involving police, trading officers and brand managers took place at 11:30 BST yesterday morning targeting premises on Bury New Road and Jury Street.
The brand managers were able to work with police to identify the illegal products which included counterfeit sportswear bearing the trademarks Adidas, Reebok, Timberland and Nike.
Inspector Dean Scott, from Crumpsall and Cheetham neighbourhood policing, said: "I am pleased with the outcome of the operation and I hope it sends out a clear message to people selling counterfeit products that it is illegal and will not be tolerated.
"We will continue to work with Trading Standards and other partner agencies to ensure that we continue to stamp out this type of criminal activity in our communities."
The 13 people arrested were taken to a local police station for questioning and the counterfeit goods were collected and taken away in two 40-foot containers.