Police in Manchester raided premises in Cheetham Hill discovering £800,000 worth of counterfeit items, a badging factory and drugs.
The activity was part of Operation Vulcan launched in Piccadilly Gardens last month.
In the early hours of the morning, Cheetham Hill Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a joint warrant with Operation Vulcan, on a property in Knowlsey Street.
On entering the premises, officers uncovered five rooms storing counterfeit items, a badging factory and a large quantity of cannabis – worth £2,500 – packed into 30 bags. The remnants of a former cannabis farm were also found during the search.
Badging factory
This is the latest badging factory to be busted by Operation Vulcan in Cheetham Hill.
Badging factories are used by criminals to try and avoid detection by law enforcement. They import ‘blank’ items and affix counterfeit designer logos, badges, and tags onto the unbranded items. Dismantling such operations is a great result however as it cuts off the supply line right at the source.
Later in the day, further activity was seen as Operation Vulcan and Manchester Trading Standards carried out a joint visit at a Vape shop on Harris Street.
This led to a significant seizure of vapes worth an estimated £25,000. Quality checks found the vapes did not comply with regulations making them potentially harmful.
Continued police presence
Chief inspector Andy Torkington of Operation Vulcan said: “Operation Vulcan supports the work of Cheetham Hill Neighbourhood Policing Team and we will be working together closely with wider partners to police this area and ensure the counterfeit goods trade and associated criminality cannot creep back in.
“Joint activity such as this is a show of strength and a reminder to the criminals of our continued presence here. We also want to reassure the local community that the move to Piccadilly Gardens is not about replacing one operation for the other.
“Our message is clear: Operation Vulcan will remain in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways area for as long as it is needed and will continue to take positive action that frustrates criminals and supports the people who live here.”
