Feuding gangs are leading cops to huge stashes of counterfeit gear. Officers went to investigate a burglary and discovered ten tonnes of fake goods. They also seized 80,000 illicit prescription drugs.
The find is the latest in a relentless drive to take-down Manchester's infamous Counterfeit Street and those that supply it with hooky clothing, perfume, and accessories.
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "A warrant was executed at a container yard on Kent Street, Salford. Officers were led there after an attempted break-in. In total approximately 80,000 illicit medication tablets were recovered along with around ten tonnes of counterfeit goods." The drugs were packs of diazepan and pregabalin.
The recovery was part of Operation Vulcan which has a huge remit to investigate a stretch of Bury New Road in the Strangeways area which has been a hub for selling counterfeit goods for decades. GMP has now declared its intention with Manchester City Council and other agencies to close such buildings, complusory purchase them, and ultimately see them bulldozed.
Police say the area is linked to 33 organised crime gangs nationwide whose activity also includes drug-dealing, the supply of firearms, enforced prostitution, cannabis farms, and slave labour.
The latest seizure also provides further evidence that gangs involved in counterfeit clothing are stealing goods from each other. In October officers from Operation Vulcan, uncovered a treasure trove of counterfeit goods and weapons. They had been called to reports of a burglary on Lockett Street, Strangeways.
In addition to an estimated 20 tonnes of replica clothing, officers recovered a stolen van which was being used for the burglary, containing a machete and an axe. It is believed a gang had attempted to steal another group's vast store of counterfeit goods. The building in Lockett Street was made up of five rooms stuffed with racks of clothing.
If cleared the Strangeways area would free up prime locations for development as Manchester city centre continues to expand. It has already spread across the River Irwell into Greengate, Salford, where huge new apartment blocks have risen. Last week Manchester City Council confirmed it has renewed a request to the government that crumbling Strangeways prison should be closed as part of the masterplan to redesign the entire area.
