Individual Post

Police have arrested four people in the Enniskillen area this weekend in joint operations with HMRC and Trading Standards, aimed at tackling the sale of counterfeit goods. 

 

On Sunday 3 September, a quantity of counterfeit clothing was seized at a market in the Swalinbar Road area of Mullan and a 49 year old man arrested on suspicion of displaying counterfeit goods for sale. He was street-bailed, pending further enquiries.

 

On Saturday, 2 September, police arrested two men aged 64 and 19 and a 49 year old woman in a market on the Drumgramph road area of Newtownbutler. The three were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including displaying items for sale in breach of trading standards, trading in counterfeit goods and fraudulently using a trade mark. HMRC seized a quantity of cigarettes. Counterfeit clothing, including hats, jeans and jackets were removed. A large quantity of handbags, purses, make-up and make-up brushes - all bearing the insignia of well-known high street brands - were also removed.

 

Superintendent Jane Humphries commended the work of the PSNI’s South Area Burglary Team and Fermanagh and Omagh District Support Team which were also involved in the two operations. She said: "Cheap counterfeit goods appear to be bargains that aren’t hurting anyone but there is no such thing as victimless crime. 

 

“Buying fake goods means revenue to the legitimate economy is lost and jobs are put at risk. There is also a wealth of evidence that shows money made from the sale of counterfeit goods is used to fund other forms of crime. 

 

“I would encourage anyone with information about counterfeit goods to contact police on the non-emergency number 101."

 

The three people arrested have been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.