Irish detectives seized more than �1m worth of counterfeit goods

Members of the PSNI embarked on a joint operation with detectives from the Republic of Ireland to halt the illegal racket.

The fake designer clothing was destined for both sides of the Irish border, according to police.

Officers seized more than 100,000 items of counterfeit goods, including soccer shirts.

The factory in Istanbul was closed down after it was raided by Turkish authorities acting on intelligence from detectives in Dublin and Belfast.

PSNI Superintendent Andy Sproule said the factory's closure had cut off one of the biggest supply routes for counterfeit goods.

"This was a major coup for us after a cutting edge investigation," he said.

The joint PSNI-Garda operation and follow-up searches in Turkey led to it collapsing Andy Sproule PSNI superintendent

"To get that amount of clothing is highly significant."

Detectives followed a trail from warehouses storing goods close to the Irish border to the manufacturing source in Turkey.

The buildings at Carrickarnon in County Louth were used to store imitation jeans, football tops and sweat shirts.

'More operations'

Irish detectives seized more than �1m worth of counterfeit goods.

Supt Sproule, a member of the PSNI's Crime Operations Branch, said "millions of pounds worth of counterfeit clothes" were discovered in Istanbul.

"The joint PSNI-Garda operation and follow-up searches in Turkey led to it collapsing," he said.

However, he said there would be no let up against the illegal traders.

"There are more operations in the pipeline," he said.

"Our inquiries are on a worldwide basis to disrupt and stop the flow of these goods."

John Moore, the president of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said counterfeit goods had an adverse impact on the local economy.

"This sort of thing costs jobs. We get hurt by illegal football shirts being sold in these markets, but it's difficult to stamp it out completely," he said.

"Once you close one door, another opens."