THURROCK Council’s trading standards working in partnership with Border Force UK seized 12,000 pairs of counterfeit trainers at Tilbury Docks on Friday (11 August).
The consignment was identified by an intelligence-led system which targets known suppliers of illegal goods and was in a 40ft container from Poland.
The goods – all counterfeit Nike trainers – were valued at £600,000 and the loss to the trade mark holder would have been considerably more.
Cllr Phil Smith, the council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “This is another magnificent example of the council working with its partners for the benefit of the whole community.
“Ports Partnership working has seen some excellent results and the unique way our limited resources are utilised has proven that intelligence-led enforcement can prevent the supply of illegal and unsafe goods
“Counterfeit goods are of extremely low quality and in some cases counterfeit electric items have caused serious injury to consumers.”
He said: “People should always take care what they buy and remember the old adage: if it seems too good to be true it probably is.”
“These goods are not bargains, but imitations. They are not produced to the same high standards of the genuine articles.”
Thurrock Council’s five-strong trading standards import surveillance team look for goods that may be unsafe to the consumer and several consignments of unsafe goods have been stopped form entering the UK supply chain in recent months including electrical goods, children’s clothing and cosmetics.
