Authorities are saying that a major counterfeiting ring in Salford has been uncovered and it's operations have beeen halted. Estimates are being made that the value of the contraband is in the millions of pounds. Apparently, there has been an ongoing undercover investigation, a joint effort of several agencies. Local citizens had apparently tipped police of the presence of counterfeit goods being sold at the Salford market.
In a joint operation between police, Salford Trading Standards, the Department for Work and Pensions and copyright experts from the British Phonographic Industry , officers targeted four homes in Eccles after a three-month long surveillance operation. The arrests come as part of Operation Zouk, a national clampdown on counterfeiting gangs also fraudulently claiming benefits. Two men and two women have been questioned over trademark violation and benefits fraud allegations. Trading standards officers have confiscated two van-loads of fake DVDs, CDs and computer games believed to be heading for market stalls across Greater Manchester. |
According to the report, at £3m, this is the largest seizure of it's kind in the area.
Source: Manchester Online
