Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards officers have seized approximately £650,000 worth of counterfeit goods, including fake World Cup kits, unsafe toys, and electronics, in a series of raids in the Hockley suburb. The operation targeted illegal wholesalers exploiting demand for World Cup merchandise during the summer football tournament.
Details of the Seizures
Officers seized £150,000 worth of counterfeit World Cup kits representing England, Spain, France, Portugal, and Argentina. Additionally, large quantities of unsafe toys, perfumes, and other goods valued at another £150,000 were confiscated, totaling over £300,000. Thousands more toys and perfumes, with an estimated street value of £150,000 to £200,000, were suspended pending further investigation.
In a separate raid days earlier, Trading Standards uncovered thousands of counterfeit and unsafe mobile phone accessories, including imitation Apple products and fake Sony PlayStation controllers. The value of goods seized in this operation exceeded £200,000.
Enforcement Actions
One individual was arrested by Immigration Enforcement officers for suspected immigration offences. Investigators confirmed that one of the targeted wholesalers had been warned earlier in the month but continued to supply illegal goods, including branded toys from Disney, Marvel, and K-pop franchises.
The operations involved Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, West Midlands Police, Immigration Enforcement, and brand representatives from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG).
Official Statements
Councillor Harris Khaliq, Cabinet Member for City Operations & Digital, said: “These coordinated operations demonstrate the strength of our city’s enforcement work and the critical role of Trading Standards in disrupting organised illegal activity. By working closely with police, immigration and industry partners, we have been able to target supply chains at scale and remove hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of counterfeit and unsafe goods from circulation. We will continue using intelligence-led operations to protect Birmingham’s economy and residents.”
Councillor Jane Baston, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Communities & Social Justice, added: “This kind of illegal trade disproportionately puts our communities at risk, particularly families who may unknowingly buy unsafe toys or products. Everyone deserves to feel safe and confident in the goods they purchase. These seizures are about protecting residents, supporting honest local businesses, and ensuring our communities are not exploited by those profiting from dangerous and counterfeit items, especially at a time when the World Cup is driving demand.”
Background and Ongoing Investigations
The raids were part of Operation Sunset, launched by Birmingham Trading Standards in early February 2026. This operation investigates Organised Crime Groups (OCG) involved in the importation, distribution, and supply of unsafe and counterfeit goods in Birmingham, with links to the Central England area. Across both operations, two wholesalers were targeted within a week, highlighting the scale and persistence of the illegal trade.
Trading Standards officers warned that counterfeit toys often fail to meet basic safety standards, while fake electrical goods and cosmetics may pose risks including fire hazards, toxic materials, or skin irritation. The council urges residents, particularly during the World Cup, to be vigilant when purchasing merchandise and to buy only from trusted retailers. Further investigations into both cases are ongoing.
