Police in NSW have seized close to $2 million in counterfeit apparel and accessories, marking their second raid on the fake fashion trade in as many months.
Officers from City Central Local Area Command raided a retail store in Sydney's CBD as well as a home in Sydney's Riverwood on March 3. The operation saw police seize more than 13,000 counterfeit items including clothing, handbags and sunglasses.
The items bore brand names including Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany & Co and Jimmy Choo and were allegedly bound for stores and markets around Sydney CBD.
Police said a 46-year-old woman from Riverwood had been assisting them with their inquiries. She is expected to be charged with a range of offences including possessing goods with a falsely applied trademark.
The latest raid follows an operation in February 2011 during which police seized close to 6000 counterfeit items from Sydney's Haymarket, including clothing, watches, jewellery, handbags and sunglasses. A number of people are due to face court in April 2011 charged with trademark offences.
City Central Local Area Command said both raids had been conducted in cooperation with experts from Trademark Investigation Services who had been working on behalf of international fashion companies.