Police find TRAP DOOR in Counterfeit Street shop as they seize £16k in vapes

Police found a trap door hidden in a shop on Counterfeit Street — which was used to access a huge store of dodgy gear.

Visits by GMP officers and Manchester council’s trading standards branch yesterday (November 23) to Bury New Road also found £16,000 worth of illegal vapes, and a further £60,000 of other counterfeit goods. They included handbags, watches, and clothing.

The joint visits to 10 businesses found two firms not complying with regulations, leading to the seizures, GMP said. Officers also found another counterfeit operation which was immediately shut down by the Cheetham Hill division.

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“Yesterday we seized around £16,000 worth of vapes and £60,000 worth of other counterfeit goods including clothes, handbags and watches,” explained PC Tom Wyatt from the team. “We also located a shop on Bury New Road which had a trap door on the shop floor leading into a basement where a hidden shop selling counterfeit goods was in operation.

“I would hope that by now most people have got the message that the sale of counterfeit goods is no longer welcome in Cheetham Hill. For those who might be thinking of starting up again, let this serve as a reminder that we are continuing to actively monitor the area and will instantly shut down counterfeit shops and arrest anyone involved in their operation.”

PC Wyatt also pleaded with the public not to support the illegal products trade, even as Christmas approaches and families are on the look-out for a good deal.

He added: ““I appreciate that it’s coming up to Christmas and people will be