MORE than £3million worth of counterfeit goods have been seized by police across ten raids in Greater Manchester.

The most recent raids were carried out on Bury New Road and Lockett Street on December 2 when officers from Greater Manchester Police's Magpie and Cranium team, which aim to tackle the illegal distribution of counterfeit items and tackle the supply of illicit prescription drugs, seized £1million worth of goods including clothing, accessories, bags, perfume and jewellery.

Six men, aged between 36 and 61, have been arrested and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Inspector William Jennings-Wharton said: "This is all part of our continued work to tackle organised crime taking place in Cheetham Hill and I want to reassure the local community that we are listening to their concerns and this week's action is all part of our continued crackdown.

"Counterfeit goods and drug dealing will not be tolerated and all of these raids, which are a result of months of hard work, are a huge step in really driving a wedge in organised crime in the area.

"Counterfeit goods are not a victimless crime, though these desired items may look good and are cheap, they are funding a wider picture that involves money laundering, organised crime and cheap labour.

"The profits from such businesses can be used to fund other serious crime, and often with that comes violence which can have a devastating ripple effect on communities and nearby legitimate businesses."

The operation has been carried out over the last ten days and has seen tens of thousands of items including clothing, perfume, jewellery and accessories seized.

GMP officers worked in partnership with City of London Police, the North West Regional and Organised Crime Unit, Border Force and immigration officials.

City of London Police's Detective Chief Inspector, Suzanne Ferris said: “This operation will have severely disrupted organised crime groups linked to counterfeit goods.

"We believe the thousands of goods seized would have supplied gangs in Cheetham Hill, selling fake goods across the country this Christmas.

"Buying and selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. As well as damaging legitimate businesses, it helps to fund organised crime, and with that often comes violence.

"This week showed the effectiveness of partnership working and I thank Greater Manchester Police, and our other partners involved, for all their help."