Operation Season’s Greetings saw police and Trading Standards search a number of houses and businesses
Counterfeit goods potentially worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been seized following searches of houses and businesses in the Cookstown area.
Police made the seizures on Monday, December 15 as part of an operation in the Co Tyrone town with fake clothing, trainers, shoes, bags and other ‘designer’ items being found by officers during Operation Season’s Greetings.
Police in Cookstown have seized counterfeit goods potentially worth hundreds of thousands of pounds during an operation in the town on Monday, 15th December.
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Cookstown Neighbourhood Sergeant Evan Maxwell said: “With finances tight for almost everyone, particularly at this time of year, it can be very tempting to see buying fake products like these as an easy way to get the item you want at a cheaper price, surely it’s a harmless and victimless crime? Sadly it is often the case that this couldn’t be further from the truth. “Counterfeit goods are predominantly made by people in other parts of the world in terrible conditions, with low to no pay. Workers can also victims of trafficking or human slavery. “Low quality manufacturing can also make products potentially dangerous to you, the end buyer.
“Profits from the sale of fake products help to fund organised crime groups who are involved in other crimes like drug dealing, that we know local people do not want in their community. “I would urge people to reconsider their choices when faced with the option to buy counterfeit goods this Christmas, no matter how good a ‘bargain’ it may seem. Please report anything you know to us and we will investigate. Call 101 or provide information online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ “You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at their website http://crimestoppers-uk.org ”.
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