Fake goods worth approximately £1million seized

A raid by Manchester City Council's Trading Standards officers has netted a total of approximately £1 million worth of fake designer handbags, jewellery and shoes.

After a tip-off from colleagues in the UK Border Agency, the illicit goods were seized in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester.

The fake goods, were found in two containers and included Nike and Y3 trainers, as well as Gucci shoes and handbags. Fake Tiffany jewellery, along with imitation Chloe and Louis Vuitton handbags were also uncovered in the raid on Thursday. They are believed to have a street value of approx £925,000. UK Border Agency officers, operating in the area, who informed colleagues at Trading Standards, discovered the containers.

Cllr Richard Cowell, Executive Member for Planning and the Environment said: "Thanks to colleagues in the UK Border Agency our officers have seized almost £1 million pounds worth of fake goods. Manchester City Council will not allow these cheap imitations to continually flood our streets, cheating innocent shoppers. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the UK Border Agency on other similar operations."

Linda Paul, UKBA Border Force North, said: "UKBA officers routinely check for illicit contraband goods including fake designer clothing, dangerous toys, non-duty paid tobacco, alcohol, and fuel which might be traded illegally in the UK. We work with HM Revenue & Customs, police, trading standards and other law enforcement agencies to combine resources, share intelligence and demonstrate how joint working can help protect the public and honest shopkeepers from illegal competition, by removing these illicit goods from the supply chain. This exercise is an example of the action we take across the region involving deliberate and organized attempts to defraud both the Revenue and the public."

"UKBA play a vital role in the fight to prevent contraband goods being smuggled into the UK and in protecting our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompany this illegal trade. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the Customs 24 hour hotline 0800 59 5000."

Media contact:

Fiona Smith, tel 0161 234 3237