Boxes of knock-off designer gear seized from raids in Cheetham Hill are being recycled to make household items. Around 40 tonnes of goods taken in raids since October have since been repurposed.
Cardboard boxes have been turned into hay for horses, while the fibres from shredding fake clothing have also been turned into items that 'benefit the community', according to GMP. Any unsafe findings have been destroyed.
The counterfeit goods were seized as part of Operation Vulcan. As well as counterfeiting, the multi-agency operation is aiming to crackdown on other issues in the Strangeways area of the city, including sexual exploitation, modern-day slavery, exploitative immigration, money laundering, and drugs.
READ MORE : Heartbreaking tribute to 'wonderful' mum, 53, killed in crash with unmarked police car
A GMP spokesman said: "People often overlook the severity of counterfeit clothing, perceiving it as a victimless crime. Unfortunately, counterfeiting is just the tip of the iceberg, and simmering below is a much more sinister network of criminal activity, with links to exploitative immigration, modern slavery, and serious organised crime. GMP’s specialist team of officers making up ‘Operation Vulcan’ have encountered victims of these crimes in their daily patrols in the area, and with the help of a range of local agencies, they’ve been working tirelessly to provide them with the right support.
Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood, who is leading Operation Vulcan, added: “We’re in the early days of our fight in Cheetham Hill and Strangeways but already we’re receiving some really positive feedback from members of the community and local, legitimate businesses. For too long, criminals have run riot in these streets, living lavish lifestyles at the expense of vulnerable people, and my team will bring a stop this.
“These first few months have been about disrupting the trade of the illegitimate shops and educating the public of the dangers of shopping here. Not only are the items they’re selling unregulated, the buildings are falling apart, infested with rats, but they’re manned by volatile workers who have weapons stashed and are ready to lock the doors at any given moment, no matter who’s inside.
"From day one, we can already see a difference. 2023 will see an intensification of Operation Vulcan, and we will be targeting every level of criminality in Cheetham Hill and Strangeways, by any means possible.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Gran at head of family drug ring died after homeowner stabbed her when she stormed his house in terrifying armed attack
- Man City and Liverpool FC issue joint statement as girl, 15, injured by missile thrown from away fans
- Homeless man, 33, who died on street in Northern Quarter named as heartbreaking tributes left
-
Heartfelt tributes to 'lovely and polite' man killed in M62 horror crash
- Emergency services close road after 'minor explosion' in building
