Counterfeiting production line hidden in plain site

THE massive fake clothes factory in Birmingham had been hidden in plain sight for years.

Inderjit Sangu used his unit in Park Road, Hockley, to churn out counterfeit designer goods which have supplied market stalls throughout the country. Boss and Stone Island fakes were among those churned out.

The bust has been hailed as one of the largest counterfeit operations to be smashed in Birmingham.

Sangu had been running a sophisticated, albeit seemingly chaotic, setup for years undetected.

Councillor Phil Davies, chair of Birmingham City Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This was one of the largest operations ever to be disrupted in the city. People may think counterfeiting is a victimless crime, but it’s not.

“Counterfeiting is often linked to organised crime, drugs, modern slavery and child labour.

“They are ripping off the consumers, legitimate businesses and Inland Revenue. Birmingham Trading Standards will do everything they can to disrupt these organised crime groups who are involved in this illicit business.”

Lord Toby Harris, chair of the National Trading Standards Board, added: “Trading standards officers and other partners are tackling this criminal activity.

“Consumers risk being misled and parting with hard earned money to pay for fake products. We will continue to work together to disrupt the organised crime groups and clamp down on criminals who sell counterfeit goods to unsuspecting members of the public.”

A Proceeds of Crime Act case, which could reveal how much Sangu made from the racket, will take place later this year.