The coordinated operations, which targeted illegal wholesalers took place last week uncovered vast quantities of counterfeit items ranging from fake World Cup football kits to dangerous toys and imitation electronic accessories. 

The operations carried out in Hockley, brought together Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, West Midlands Police, Immigration Enforcement, and brand representatives from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG).  

Officers targeted a major importer and wholesaler supplying goods across the region. With World Cup excitement reaching fever pitch, criminals were found to be exploiting demand for football merchandise. Trading Standards officers seized over £150,000 worth of counterfeit World Cup Kits including England, Spain, France, Portugal and Argentina shirts, alongside large quantities of unsafe toys, perfumes and other goods with an estimated value of a further £150,000, totalling over £300,000. 

In addition, thousands more toys and perfumes were identified and suspended, with an estimated street value of between £150,000 and £200,000, pending further investigation. One individual was also arrested by Immigration Enforcement officers for suspected immigration offences. 

Just days earlier, Trading Standards led a separate raid on a mobile wholesaler as part of the same operation, uncovering another significant haul. Officers seized thousands of counterfeit and unsafe mobile phone accessories, including imitation Apple products, as well as counterfeit Sony PlayStation controllers. The estimated value of goods seized during this operation exceeded £200,000. 

Investigators also confirmed that one of the wholesalers targeted had already been visited and warned earlier in the month, only to be found continuing to supply illegal goods, including branded toys from major franchises such as Disney, Marvel and K-pop. 

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, said: “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.” 

Across both operations, two wholesalers were targeted within the space of a week, highlighting the scale and persistence of the illegal trade in counterfeit goods. 

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 is urging 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.