18/11/2009

Fake Goods Seized In West Yorkshire

Three men have been arrested and counterfeit goods seized in Huddersfield as part of a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and Revenue & Customs.

The men, aged 19, 24, and 30, were detained on suspicion of producing and selling fake and imitation goods, and for immigration offences, after officers attended an address on Bradford Road.

Officers have seized £75,000 of what are believed to be fake cigarettes, counterfeit DVDs, jewellery and clothes.

The men have been interviewed by officers and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

PC Lisa Harley, from Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said this is the fourth operation carried out with Revenue & Customs in the last two months.

"Whilst we appreciate people may think they are getting a bargain quite often they are only buying sub-standard goods."

Dave Gostelow, spokesman for Revenue & Customs in Yorkshire, added: "The illicit trade has a devastating impact on legitimate traders who have to compete against these cheap and unregulated goods.

"People need to be aware that the majority of smuggled cigarettes are usually counterfeit and because they are unregulated you have no idea what they contain," he said.

"Smugglers are criminals and they will sell these cigarettes to anyone, including children."

(PR/KMcA)

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