Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Neal Keeling

Dangerous fake perfumes which may contain harmful chemicals and urine seized in Counterfeit Street

Dangerous fake perfumes have been seized in a raid on Manchester's Counterfeit Street. The brands ripped off among 400 bottles recovered included Chanel, Boss, Creed, Jo Malone, and Joy.

The haul is estimated to be worth £60,000 but police say, despite looking identical to the real thing, laboratory tests of samples previously seized have shown to contain poisonous chemicals including cyanide, and even human urine.

Fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss and foundation have also been found to contain toxic levels of chemicals and harmful substances such as arsenic, mercury and lead. All of these can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, swelling, rashes and burns.

Now the Police Intellectual Crime Unit of the City of London Police (PIPCU) who took part in the raid is urging shoppers not to buy cheaper fake cosmetics in the run up to Christmas.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Hussey firm the PIPCU said: “The lower price of counterfeit beauty products make them an appealing option to shoppers in the run up to Christmas, particularly at a time when cost-of-living pressures have increased.

“Those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods are taking advantage of this and making huge profits in the process. These products are often untested and unregulated, showing that counterfeiters have little regard for the safety of the people who end up using them.”

The 400 perfume bottles were among seven tonnes of counterfeit clothing, accessories and wireless earphones seized by PIPCU officers after they raided two commercial premises in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, on 13 December 2022.

They were supported by Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan, the North West Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (NWPIPCU), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Immigration Services and anti-counterfeiting agency WRi. A residential address was also searched, and one man was arrested. He has since been released under investigation.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.