Brand protection firm helps with raid

SYDNEY: A Melbourne man’s profitable counterfeit clothing business has been turned upside down after he had his home and vehicle raided by police earlier this month.

Police and fake clothing investigation firms Global Brand Protection and Trademark Investigation Services joined forces to investigate the would-be entrepreneur at his home in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows.

Global Brand protection national operations manager Carl Donadio said the group was first tipped off about the existence of the fake items through the Australian Customs Service.

A regular informant then alerted Global Brand Protection to the man and the possibility he was responsible for selling the goods at a local market.

Having been under surveillance for six to eight weeks, the man’s car was stopped by police en route to nearby markets while a second team raided the man’s personal address.

Inside they found counterfeit clothing, footwear, manchester, wallets and other accessories with a street value of around $100,000.

The brands involved included sports labels Adidas and Nike and luxury companies including Louis Vuitton.

A quantity of drugs was also found at the site. Police said the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces up to 20 separate charges in relation to the incident.

The Meadowbank incident was the second raid carried out by Global Brand Protection this month.
Earlier the group had been asked to issue “cease and desist” notices to five individual stall owners at Melbourne’s Carribean Gardens and Market in Scoresby.

Donadio said a number of counterfeit items were seized from the stall holders, this time involving items such as hoodies, T-shirts, and track suits from brands including Everlast, Holden and Polo Ralph Lauren.
The street value of the goods was around $7000. All items were seized and have since been disposed of.