Raid nets £20k fake goods
Police and Trading Standards officers have raided a house in Newmains seizing £ 20,000 worth of counterfeit goods.
Items including branded footwear, clothing and tobacco were being advertised for sale online by a 43-year-old woman who is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
A large sum of money, along with computer equipment, was also seized for further investigation.
Sgt Neil MacLeod, from Wishaw Police’s Community Investigation Unit, told the Wishaw Press this week: “We would appeal for any information on counterfeit goods whether it be clothing, alcohol, cigarettes or otherwise.
“There is a bigger picture to the sale and supply of these goods, that being that the proceeds is lining the pockets of organised crime groups.
“We’re keen for any information which can assist us stop this flow of money to these groups.”
Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the council’s Environmental Services Committee, praised by the work of both organisations during the operation.
He said: “This is another example of the excellent working relationship which has been developed between our Trading Standards service and Police Scotland.
“We will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to counterfeiting, a crime which damages the economic potential of legitimate business and may fool members of the public into buying poor quality and unsafe goods.”
The Newmains raid is another major success for police and Trading Standards following on from a huge bust in December in Pather, Wishaw.
During that operation, fake goods worth a street value of £100,000 were seized with the items branded with designer names including Rolex, Brietling, Prada, Boss, Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Nike and Moncier.
Ins p e c t o r A l i s t a i r Anderson, from Wishaw Police Office, added: ”This operation provides further evidence that Police Scotland and our partner agencies are determined to identify people responsible for illegally selling fake goods at inflated prices on the internet and elsewhere.
“This criminal activity directly harms legitimate businesses and threatens the livelihoods of all those working in the creative industries as well as those employed by retailers, distributors and legitimate online platforms.”
If you are concerned that a sale may be fraudulent report it to Trading Standards consumer helpline by calling 01236 856361 or email TradingStandards@ northlan.gov.uk.