Nearly '£1 million' of fake and illegal goods seized from Furnace End Market

Fraudulent Rolex's were found during the raid.

Counterfeit goods and illegal cigarettes were seized from Furnace End Market by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Officers and  Warwickshire Police.

Officers found 815 pairs of fake footwear, 87 bags, 33 wallets, purses and cardholders and 170 sunglasses bearing the names of designer brands.

146 fake Rolex, Omega and Breitling watches, some of which were being sold for £150 each were also taken. 

Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Cheap counterfeit cigarettes, often sold at half the price of genuine products, make it easier for young people to start smoking and more difficult for regular smokers to stop. These fakes undermine the work that Public Health and others are doing to reduce smoking rates.”

In total, the goods seized are estimated to have a face-value of more than £60,000 and a value, if genuine, of almost £950,000.

Mr Crump, said: “We are equally determined to crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods. Consumers may think they are getting a bargain, but fake products are usually very poor quality and can be dangerous. The sale of counterfeits also funds organised crime including drug dealing, human trafficking and prostitution and threatens the livelihoods of genuine traders.”