A factory set up to add brand logos to fake clothing has been uncovered. The strike by police and trading standards officers is the latest in an all out war against Manchester's infamous Counterfeit Street.
The shabby gateway to the city in the Strangeways area of Bury New Road is a nest of criminality according to GMP, with links to 33 organised crime groups. The force has vowed to close down, compulsory purchase, and ultimately demolish buildings being used to flog hooky clothing, perfume, accessories, and illicit prescription drugs.
In a series of raids in the last five weeks Operation Vulcan officers have already recovered illicit prescription drugs worth millions of pounds from one shop; seized 20 tonnes of knock-off clothing; and come down hard on rogue drivers, prosecuting 33 people for speed offences, seizing 26 vehicles.
Yesterday, officers from City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and GMP’s Operation Vulcan carried out a warrant on an industrial premises near Empress House, on Peel Lane off Cheetham Hill Road and uncovered a large factory set up to add labels to counterfeit clothing before being sold in illegitimate shops across Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.
The warehouse contained an estimated value of one million pounds worth of counterfeit goods as well as machinery and labelling for these products. Three men, aged between 25 and 45, have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in producing counterfeit goods.
Immigration Enforcement, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service and brand representatives all took part in the operation.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers said: “Counterfeit goods are not a victimless crime, and whilst the low price of these items can be appealing, they are contributing to a much wider picture that involves money laundering, cheap labour, and exploitation. The profits individuals are making from these illegitimate businesses are used to fund serious organised crime, and with that, comes violence that is having a devastating impact on the local communities and legitimate businesses.
“The work doesn’t stop here, and I’d like to thank all our partners who came today and who are involved in our mission of ridding Cheetham Hill and Strangeways of criminality. We will be taking proactive and robust action against this trade and members of the public can be reassured that this is a top priority for us.
“Operation Vulcan will not let up pressure on these criminals until the area is returned to legitimate trade, and if you are engaged in criminality, you are in our sights.”
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, from City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said: “Consumers who buy counterfeit designer clothes have no way of knowing the conditions in which they were made or what the proceeds are going to fund.
“We often see links between the counterfeit goods trade and organised criminal groups. The findings of this operation highlight that those who coordinate the production of these items have little regard for the welfare and working conditions of the people who make them and choose to prioritise their own financial gain.
“We would always urge the public to think twice before buying counterfeit designer goods and will continue to work with our partners to clamp down on those who produce and sell them.”
