Morning raids lead Operation Vulcan to alleged counterfeit king and production factory in Cheetham Hill

This morning (Thursday 11 January), Operation Vulcan and police from GMP’s Salford Challenger team executed two warrants in a crack down against a suspected counterfeiter, believed to be mass producing counterfeit gear for shops across the UK.

In Oldham, at a property on Cherry Hinton, a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of trademark offences.

In Salford, at a warehouse on Cobden Street, police located three units. Inside, they found rows upon rows of high value machines which are used to apply counterfeit logos to unbranded clothes. There were also large volumes of counterfeit clothes, boxed up and ready to go.

Police also uncovered a pigeon farm above the unit. It’s connection to the operation is yet to be revealed.

Inspector Dan Cullum, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers said: “The operation in Cheetham Hill has successfully decimated the physical counterfeit trade, and we can now proudly say that we are no longer the ‘counterfeit capital’ of the UK, following months of relentless activity.

“However, we are acutely aware that a small number of people are still looking to exploit the market and produce counterfeit items from warehouses in the back streets of Cheetham Hill.  This morning’s warrant just demonstrates how important it is that as a community, we continue to look out for the signs of illegal activity.”