£500k counterfeit goods seized in Oldham shipping containers

Police have seized around £500,000 worth of counterfeit goods from shipping containers in Failsworth after officers stopped a suspicious vehicle in Cheetham Hill. The haul included fake designer clothing, footwear, and perfume-far more than would be for personal use.

The investigation began when two officers spotted a car driving suspiciously on Queens Road and discovered it was linked to an ongoing probe into counterfeit goods. Inside the vehicle they found 12 pairs of Nike trainers with receipts that turned out to be fake, containing spelling errors and duplicated product codes.

Officers also seized £3,000 in cash from the two men, who couldn't explain where it came from. This led police to three shipping containers on Hobson Street, Failsworth, where they uncovered the massive counterfeit haul.

A man in his 50s and another in his 30s have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and trademark offences. Police say counterfeit goods aren't just cheap imitations-they're often unsafe, unregulated, and fund organised crime. The investigation continues as officers work to identify where these fake products were headed.