A police raid on a huge warehouse has led to the seizure of £1.2 million worth of fake goods.
Officers raided the premises on Wednesday, May 3, after receiving a tip-off about the massive counterfeit operation. The sting was part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan action plan to eradicate the selling of fake goods in the area, reports Manchester Evening News.
Cops boxed and bagged items and used a conveyor belt to move them into waiting vehicles. Police said the seizure will 'make a huge dent in the supply chain by cutting off the head of the snake'.
Over 15 departments, teams, organisations and partner representatives are involved in Operation Vulcan, including from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Intellectual Property Office, Trading Standards, Brand Experts and Border Force.
Fire crews also raised concern for the safety of the building and it was therefore issued with a prohibition order.
Inspector Andy Torkington said: "The network of counterfeit stores in Cheetham Hill might seem chaotic and disorganised but this is far from the truth. The latest warrant demonstrates that these stores are well funded and well supplied and it's big business for organised crime groups who have been operating out of the area.
"This warrant is an opportunity to make a huge dent in the supply chain by cutting off the head of the snake. I hope it sends a message to any remaining counterfeit stores in the area who persist in trading to pack up now or face the consequences.
"Operation Vulcan is here to stay and we will continue making it unsustainable for criminal businesses to exist here and will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to re-build the area into a thriving community where people feel safe.”
Neil Fairlamb, strategic director of neighbourhoods for Manchester council said: "The work that has taken place throughout Operation Vulcan has shown the scope and scale of the counterfeit industry. It is a huge enterprise, one which has had an incredibly negative impact on our communities.
"By striking a blow against this criminal supply chain we will succeed in forcing these traders out for good."
The Intellectual Property Office’s Deputy Director of Intelligence and Law Enforcement, Marcus Evans said: "Criminal networks are seeking to exploit consumers and communities for their own financial gain through the trade in illegal counterfeits – with absolutely no regard for the quality or safety of the items being sold, which are often dangerous and defective.
"Such items can cause genuine harm to the people who buy and use them, as well as those workers often exploited during their production. As well as helping to sustain serious and organised crime, the sale of counterfeit goods has been estimated to contribute to over 80,000 job losses each year in the UK by diverting funds away from legitimate traders and into the hands of criminals.
"We are pleased to support the ongoing activity by Greater Manchester Police to clamp down on this illegal activity and help protect the public, as we continue to work with partners across in industry, local government, and law enforcement to help empower consumers and raise awareness of the damage these goods cause."
Operation Vulcan was launched last year to target counterfeiting gangs in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas.
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