Legal News

Ealing Council’s Trading Standards team has smashed a major counterfeiting ring, after seizing thousands of suspected fake goods and prescription-only medication in Southall, Middlesex.

Acting on intelligence, officers from Ealing Council’s Trading Standards team – supported by colleagues from regulatory services – uncovered large amounts of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, watches and sunglasses.

The goods are believed to be destined for traders stocking up for Christmas.

The goods were seized in a raid on unmarked containers located in the Bridge Road area of Southall – along with thousands of potentially lethal tablets of prescription-only medication to treat erectile dysfunction.

On the same day, officers also seized 1,212 dangerous hair dye products containing lead – a substance banned for use in cosmetics due to its toxic nature.

Investigations into a number of traders in the borough are ongoing, said Ealing Council Trading Standards – and samples of the suspected counterfeit goods and pills will now be taken away for testing as part of the investigation.

Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for safety, culture and community services, Councillor Ranjit Dheer, said:

“The council works hard to ensure our residents and communities are protected from unscrupulous traders willing to jeopardise safety in our borough with cheap, shoddy and potentially dangerous counterfeit goods.

“So I am delighted by the diligence of our officers having intercepted this quite significant haul.

“But consumers have a big role to play, too, by supporting our efforts.

“I encourage them to remain vigilant, particularly at this time of year – and report any suspected fake goods on sale in the borough to our Trading Standards team.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving counterfeit goods, including prescription-only medicines, alcohol and tobacco products, perfumes, DVDs, branded clothing and electrical items.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can attend interview under caution with an investigating authority, as well as advising on dawn raids and confiscated items such as stock or computer equipment.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on criminal charges involving mislabelling, banned products, weights and measures, failure to pay duty, and public protection matters.

For expert legal advice on charges involving counterfeit goods, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.