£800,000 worth of counterfeit goods seized in Salford

Raids on eight Salford businesses have netted a haul of more than 50,000 counterfeit and dangerous products worth over £800,000.

Trading standards officers from Salford City Council targeted businesses in Broughton as part of a pre-Christmas crackdown, acting on information from the public, partner agencies and brand holders

Amongst the seized products were 26,878 counterfeit Heisenberg, Vampire Vape and Golden Virginia branded e-liquids with a street value of £370,450 and 17,771 counterfeit Apple products including earphones, with a street value of £431,526.

Other brands seized included LOL Surprise, Marvel, Disney, Superman, Minions, Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Beats by Dr Dre, Samsung and Playstation toys and clothing. Another 2,000 unsafe products were also seized including toys with small parts which could have choked small children and electrical products with two pin plugs.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said it was one of the biggest hauls seized in recent years and will help keep people safe at Christmas.

“These products would have been bought by unsuspecting customers thinking they were getting leading brand name items. Other products were seized because they did not comply with the necessary safety standards,” he said.

“We are determined to make sure that Salford businesses only sell safe and lawful products and will clamp down hard on any that flout the law and put consumer safety at risk.”

The raids, which also involved Greater Manchester Police, business rates inspectors and brand representatives were carried out at eight wholesale and importing businesses in Rugby Street, Overbridge Road and Broughton Lane, Broughton between 2 October and 16 December. Items were seized from all eight premises.

Investigations are continuing and further action is being considered in line with the council’s enforcement and prosecution policy.

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