Police in Northern Ireland busted a major counterfeiting operation this week, seizing an estimated $750,000 worth of counterfeit devices. More than 20,000 counterfeit goods were uncovered in raids targeting locations in Belfast and Portadown on Thursday 28 March.

Northern Ireland police seize more than 20,000 fake documents

While the exact contents of the confiscated goods were not disclosed, photos taken from the scene show that a significant portion of them were fake Apple products. There were fake iPhones, AirPods and iPhone cases, as well as other unidentified fake smart watches, cell phones and chargers.

This raid highlights the global spread of counterfeiting operations. Although Apple products are frequently targeted, Detective Sergeant Mason from the PSNI stressed that “criminals will try to copy anything”. He also warned that such counterfeit goods often finance organized crime.

These raids followed similar actions in the East Midlands region of England. Interestingly, in 2021, a repair company in the area was fined nearly $150,000 for selling fake Apple chargers.

Although no direct forgery charges have yet been laid, a 24-year-old man was arrested following a raid in Portadown, but reportedly on suspicion of immigration offences.