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In this issue:
Officers from the
Council’s Trading Standards service,
together with the Police, raided a local car
boot sale just before it opened to the public.
Acting on Intelligence, officers made an early
morning visit on Sunday, when they seized a large quantity of counterfeit/fake
items neatly displayed on tables and on the floor in front of two vehicles.
In total in excess of 1,100 items were seized
including clothing, footwear,
bedding, watches,
handbags and perfume.
Trademarks such as Nike, North Face,
Adidas, Hugo Boss, EA7, Converse, Stone Island, Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton,
Prada, Ugg, Rolex and MK were on open display which had a conservative
estimated value of over £18,000.
An individual in their late 30’s was arrested and a search at another location was
conducted which found further counterfeit items stored in boxes and bin bags.
The individual was interviewed under caution
by trading standards
officers at Coventry Police Station and was
later released pending further enquiries.
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Chair
of the Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee, said: “This is an
excellent result for our Trading Standards team
and I am also grateful to the assistance provided by Coventry Police.
“People should be
aware that by purchasing counterfeit goods they are
having a detrimental effect on the livelihoods of legitimate local businesses
and their employees.
"Also, we are reminding organisers of car boot sales about their responsibilities in helping to put an
end to the trade in counterfeit goods.”
Trading Standards had visited the market on a
previous Sunday and bought an item which was sent to the trademark holder who confirmed the item was fake and of very
poor quality.
The sale and distribution of counterfeit and pirated
goods is a criminal offence which, upon conviction, attracts a maximum prison
sentence of 10 years, an unlimited fine or both. Sellers of fake items are also
subject to the Proceeds of Crime Act, allowing enforcement agencies to apply
for confiscation of criminal assets. Those involved in
this activity as well as those
supporting the activity also face prosecution with
regards to money laundering
offences.
Cllr Hetherton, added: “The sale of
counterfeit goods will simply not be tolerated in Coventry and I would urge
residents that if they spot or believe a trader in Coventry is supplying any
fake goods, please report it using our dedicated and anonymous Hotline:
0300 303 2636.
Investigations are still ongoing.
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For
more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
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