Police seize £15m of counterfeit goods from Cheetham Hill in three days of raids

Police have raided several premises in Cheetham Hill, seizing around £15m worth of goods from the retail units.

Officers retrieved a huge haul of counterfeit branded clothing, shoes, watches, jewellery, perfume and electrical goods during the joint operation involving officers from City of London Police.

As well as the usual fake goods, police also seized suspected fake medication during the raids on four premises in the area, which happened over three days earlier this week.

City of London Police

More than 45,000 items were seized in total, with officers confiscating things like suspected counterfeit shoes, clothing, handbags, watches, batteries, headphones, makeup, perfume and sunglasses, as well as the medication.

The raids ended up in the arrest of seven people, with six taken in for offences relating to the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods, while one was arrested for intent to supply prescription drugs.

City of London Police

The large-scale operation targeted four premises in Strangeways, near Manchester city centre, with officers raiding them between Monday April 19th and Wednesday April 21st.

In total 60 officers and staff worked together to plan and execute the raids, with officers saying the seized items would result in legitimate retailers losing £15 million.

City of London Police

Supt Peter Ratcliffe from the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal and, in the case of counterfeit electricals and medication, extremely dangerous.

“This huge three-day operation, plus the number of arrests and vast amount of evidence seized, should send a strong message to other criminals involved in counterfeit goods that it won’t be tolerated.

“For the public, it is vital to remember you don’t know what other crimes you are funding when buying counterfeit goods, or the conditions those working for the criminals are conducting their business in.

“This operation showed the effectiveness of partnership working and I thank Greater Manchester Police, and our other partners involved, for all their help.”

City of London Police

Det Supt Paul Denn from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit added: “Buying and selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime.

“As well as damaging legitimate businesses, it helps to fund organised crime, and with that often comes violence.

“Whenever we receive intelligence about illegal goods, we will always work closely with our colleagues in the City of London Police and other partners to investigate and take the appropriate action.”