£250,000 of fake designer clothes seized

In a series of operations customs officers have seized over two tonnes of counterfeit designer sport and leisure wear, with a trade value of £250,000.

Among the goods seized were 150,000 branded buttons, which originated in Thailand, and were destined to be sewn on to counterfeit garments. Bearing brand names such as Adidas, Lacoste and Fila, they were discovered in the baggage of two Irishmen at Dublin Airport.

The find was just one of five made by customs officials following intensive investigations in the past four weeks.

In a separate operation at the airport, a quantity of Levis jeans, as well as Nike and Reebok counterfeit sportswear, were discovered following the examination of unaccompanied luggage. An Asian national was questioned in relation to the find.

At Cork Airport, a large quantity of counterfeit fashionwear, including jeans, combats, handbags and sweatshirts branded Dolce and Gabanna, BMW and Quicksilver, was discovered.

A man in his mid-40s was questioned by customs officials after the interception of a large quantity of counterfeit Lacoste, Nike and Umbro sportswear which was being transported through the postal system.

In addition, customs officers seized a large quantity of counterfeit fashionwear at a private home in the Tallaght area. The goods originated in Turkey and were believed to have been destined for the English market. The shipment was followed by customs officials from Dublin Airport to the house, where a Nigerian national was questioned.

Mr Jim Grant, manager of the Revenue Commissioners' customs and excise investigation bureau, said Ireland is increasingly being used as a destination for international counterfeiting groups.

"They will try, having been detected in some countries, to move on to other ones. As far as the EU is concerned, we were probably next in line."

He said the increase in such imports was also a result of the strong demand here for counterfeit goods. "These products are very visible. You only have to walk down Henry Street in Dublin or visit a country fair to see them on sale."

Files are being prepared in all cases for the customs prosecuting unit in Nenagh and will be considered later by the DPP.