Operation Vulcan draws ever closer to bringing about the end of ‘counterfeit street’

Earlier this week on Wednesday 22 February 2023, Operation Vulcan descended on Harris Street targeting what are believed to be some of the last remaining shops selling counterfeit goods in Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.

Officers executed warrants on 4 buildings and found a total of 12 units masquerading as legitimate shops.

Approximately 20 tonnes of counterfeit items were seized whilst officers from Trading Standards turned out in support of the operation and seized hundreds of illegal vapes from one of the units.

Sergeant Daniel Cullum said: “These warrants are yet another success for Operation Vulcan. The work doesn’t stop here however and the investigation to seek out and arrest those who have been distributing and selling counterfeit items from these units is now in motion.

“We had great support from our partner agencies throughout the day – including Immigration Enforcement, MCC Trading Standards, Anti Counterfeit Group ambassadors and internal departments such a TAU and local NPT teams.

“Our multi-agency approach is designed to target every level of criminality and protect the most vulnerable people who are being exploited.

“The sheer volume of counterfeit items that we have seized this week is worth millions of pounds to criminal enterprises. All these goods will now be re-purposed, recycled, and changed into usable items for the community.

“We have had amazing success in stamping out these counterfeit stores but there are a few units remaining units that are still attempting to operate in the area. We will be targeting these premises imminently and as the shops start to disappear, we will be targeting those higher up the chain who for so long have felt above the law and out of reach.”