Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Ramazani Mwamba

Fake Peppa Pig toys, Apple earphones and vapes seized in massive Salford raid

Dodgy fakes of Apple earphones, Playstation products, and Peppa Pig toys were some of the products seized in "one of the biggest hauls" of counterfeit goods in recent years.

More than 50,000 counterfeit and dangerous products worth more than £800,000 as part of a pre-Christmas crackdown.

During the raids 2,000 unsafe products were seized, including toys with small parts that could choke young children and electrical products with two pin plugs.

The raids on eight Salford businesses were carried out by trading standards officers from Salford City Council between 2 October and 16 December.

Almost 27,000 counterfeit Heisenberg, Vampire Vape and Golden Virginia branded e-liquids with a street value of £370,450 and 17,771 counterfeit Apple products including earphones, with a street value of £431,526 were some of the products found in the crackdown.

Other brands seized included LOL Surprise, Marvel, Disney, Superman, Minions, Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Beats by Dr Dre, Samsung and Playstation toys and clothing.

The haul was described as one of the biggest finds in recent years (Salford City Council)

Trading standards officers, Greater Manchester Police, business rates inspectors and brand representatives were all involved in the raids which targeted eight wholesale and importing businesses found on Broughton Lane, Rugby Street and Overbridge Road in Broughton.

Officers had been tipped off from the public, partner agencies and brand holders.

Coun David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said it was one of the biggest hauls seized in recent years and it will help keep people safe at Christmas.

"These products would have been bought by unsuspecting customers thinking they were getting leading brand name item." He said.

"Other products were seized because they did not comply with the necessary safety standards,

"We are determined to make sure that Salford businesses only sell safe and lawful products and will clamp down hard on any that flout the law and put consumer safety at risk."

Investigations continue and further action is being considered by the council's enforcement and prosecution policy.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.