Over £260,000 worth of counterfeit goods seized in Fife in last four months

Over £260,000 worth of counterfeit goods have been uncovered from Fife in the last four months.

In a recent joint operation involving Fife Trading Standards and Police Scotland, retail premises in Dunfermline were raided just before Christmas. Officers seized £200,000 worth of fake designer branded clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewellery and electrical items.

A raid also took place at two houses in Buckhaven and Kelty. Officers were granted search warrants for the houses where the residents are suspected of selling counterfeit goods through Facebook. There over £60,000 worth of goods was discovered.

Senior Manager Roy Stewart, said: "Our aim is to protect and safeguard consumers, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable and support legitimate businesses.

"Over the past few months we have secured some major successes through successful joint working with Police Scotland meaning that Fife consumers are being protected from poor quality goods and potentially unsafe goods from unscrupulous traders.”

Anyone found guilty of offences under the Trade Marks Act faces a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.