Operation Vulcan dismantle badging factory responsible for mass producing fake goods

As if by fate, on World Anti-Counterfeiting Day (Thursday 8 June), Operation Vulcan discovered a large badging factory on the outskirts of Cheetham Hill. Acting on intelligence from partners at HMRC, officers raided the warehouse, and seized over two million pounds worth of counterfeit items suspected to be destined for the shops of Cheetham Hill and afar.

Inside, police found rows of machinery responsible for affixing counterfeit designer logos, badges, and tags onto unbranded items.

Sergeant Dan Cullum, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers said: “The profits from these illegitimate businesses are huge, in excess of hundreds of thousands of pounds a week, all of which funds serious organised crime. In turn, this has devastating effects on our local communities and legitimate businesses.

“I hope this action goes to show that Operation Vulcan is here to stay. We may have closed down the majority of the shops in the area, but we are actively closing in on the large-scale warehouses who are responsible for mass producing these counterfeit items.”