Two charged and counterfeit shoes seized

Anti Counterfeiting Group (ACG) is delighted with the reported success of the City of London Police’s, Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), in Manchester on 14th March.

• A raid by the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) uncovered nearly 3,000 pairs of branded shoes suspected to be counterfeit 
• Joint action with Greater Manchester Police, Border Force, Trading Standards, Manchester Fire Service and Immigration Services saw two people charged
• A further 277,000 pairs of unbranded shoes were also found in the warehouse along with thousands of brand labels

The City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) raided premises in Manchester with 280,000 pairs of shoes being found in one warehouse alone.

At the warehouse, officers discovered nearly 3,000 labelled pairs of suspected counterfeit shoes that were ready to be sent out to recipients. The other 277,000 pairs of shoes were unbranded but accompanied by thousands of brand labels. Officers seized the already branded shoes so that the relevant brands can confirm whether they are counterfeit.

The three search warrants, which arose out of a referral from the Intellectual Property Office and Trading Standards, involved 34 officers and staff from Greater Manchester Police, Border Force, Trading Standards, Manchester Fire Service and UK Immigration Services. Along with the suspected counterfeit shoes, thousands of labels, computer equipment and approximately £20,000 in cash were seized.

Xiaoguang Xia, 39, of Kempsters Gardens, Salford, M7 and Yingpen Qu, 38, of Larch Gardens, Manchester, M8 were charged with conspiracy to distribute articles infringing trademark and to commit money laundering. They appeared at Salford and Manchester Magistrates Court respectively on Friday 15 March. They were remanded until Friday 12 April 2019 when they will appear at Manchester Crown Court. One other person was released under investigation.