Six people have been arrested after fake goods with a street value of £50,000 were seized.
The arrests are part of an operation into counterfeit goods in the run-up to Christmas carried out by Gwent Police, Trading Standards and the Regional Wales Trading Standards Scambusters team.
According to Caerphilly Trading Standards, there has been an increase in the reported sale and supply of counterfeit goods – with many believed to have come from a Sunday market in Bristol.
Over the last three weeks eight premises and three vehicles were searched for counterfeit goods as part of the joint operation.
Fake goods with a street value of £50,000 were seized. The goods included counterfeit Ugg boots, Superdry clothing, GHD hair straighteners, perfume, make up and jewellery. Computer equipment and almost £2,000 in cash was also seized.
Six people arrested during the operation are currently on police bail.
Sergeant Rob Davies, of Gwent Police, said: “We know that criminals exploit and target people during tougher financial times like the Christmas period to help make money from their illegal activities. By tackling the influx of counterfeit goods, police and other enforcement authorities are removing the means by which these criminals operate, curtailing their criminal activities.
“Together with our Local Authority and Trading Standards colleagues we are aware of the effect that this sort of crime can have in our communities and we are also aware that the illicit trade is often a significant funding stream for these criminals. People should be mindful of the real effects of purchasing counterfeit goods in that such behaviour only continues to fund people that undermine our communities.”
Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, said: “Our Trading Standards team are extremely proactive in working to tackle the sale and supply of counterfeit items. Not only does the sale of such items affect customers, many of whom are duped into believing the products are genuine, but legitimate manufacturers and local traders selling genuine items are also seriously affected by the trade in fake goods.”