Fake designer goods worth £5 million - including watches, jewellery and bags - have been seized in north London.
More than 2,400 counterfeit football shirts were also confiscated when police raided two shops in Camden on Tuesday [August 15].
A total of 2,000 fake designer handbags, worth an estimated loss to the industry of £2 million, were found being touted by rogue traders in one shop alone.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of distributing articles infringing trademarks. They have been bailed.
Det Sgt Andrew Masterson, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, said there has been a sharp increase in the sale of counterfeit goods in Camden in recent years.
He added: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal.
"It can be tempting to buy a counterfeit designer product for a fraction of the cost of the real thing, but this can have a bigger impact than many people realise.
"Often, criminals use the profits from counterfeit goods to fuel other organised crime, which can have damaging effects on local communities."
He added: “We hope that this operation sends a clear message that the sale of counterfeit goods will not tolerated.”
In one shop, officers seized 2,487 counterfeit football shirts, jewellery and watches thought to be worth a loss to the industry of £3 million.
The operation was supported by Camden Council’s Trading Standards team, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group and Lighthouse Security.
Cllr Richard Olszewski, Camden Council's cabinet member for finance and cost of living, said: “This isn’t about targeting the bargains or quirky buys you can pick up in Camden Town – this is about disrupting a market of illegal, counterfeit goods: knock-off handbags, watches and fake designer clothes.
"Selling counterfeit goods is a crime. Some customers get conned, some get a poor-quality product and it’s not fair on the independent traders who play by the rules."
Chief Inspector Nicholas Hackett-Peacock, of the Met's Camden Neighbourhoods and Town Centre Teams, added: “We encourage anyone to report any concerns they have to our officers or our partners, we are there to listen and support.”
The seized items are due to be recycled.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here