Counterfeit goods worth £34,000 for sale in an internet business scam have been seized by trading standards officers.
Officers from Lancashire County Council made the haul after swooping at a residential property between Burnley and Accrington in the early hours of Tuesday, June 7.
More than 850 items were seized, including 777 garments – mainly polo shirts – and 92 wallets and keyrings.
The goods were found in a bedroom, study and attic at the property, which was being used to run an eBay retail business by two women in their thirties.
One of the women was inside at the time of the raid but neither have been arrested.
The items have been sent away for investigation and the haul is being treated as suspicious.
The raid follows other operations in east Lancashire over the last couple of weeks, where counterfeit GHD hair straighteners were found on sale at a shop in Oswaldtwistle and counterfeit tobacco products were seized in Nelson.
Coun Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire county council, said: “Fake goods may be linked with serious crime and counterfeiters make a fortune while avoiding paying much-needed taxes.
“The success of these raids sends a clear message to those operating illegally that such activity will not be tolerated in Lancashire.”
Paul Noone, head of Lancashire county council’s Trading Standards Service, said: “Counterfeiting is often regarded as a victimless crime but in reality it has a serious financial impact on local businesses and the livelihood of their employees, who rely on sales of genuine products.
“Fakes are not only inferior in quality but can often also pose a risk to health and be genuinely dangerous.”
Anyone who suspects they have seen counterfeit goods on sale can report them by calling the Consumer Direct hotline on 0845 600 1352.
