Trading standards officers have smashed a major counterfeiting ring with the seizure of thousands of suspected fake goods and prescription only medication in Southall on Tuesday, 27 October 2015.

Acting on intelligence, Ealing Council’s trading standards team supported by other officers from regulatory services uncovered a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, watches and sunglasses, believed to be destined for traders stocking up for the festive season.

The goods were seized in a raid on unmarked containers located in the Bridge Road area of Southall, along with thousands of potentially lethal tablets of prescription only medication for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

On the same day officers also seized 1,212 dangerous hair dye products containing lead, a substance banned for use in cosmetics due to its toxic nature.

Following the seizures investigations into a number of traders in the borough are ongoing.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for safety, culture and community services, said: "The council works hard to ensure our residents and communities are protected from unscrupulous traders willing to jeopardise safety in our borough with cheap, shoddy and potentially dangerous counterfeit goods. So I am delighted by the diligence of our officers having intercepted this quite significant haul."

"But consumers have a big role to play too by supporting our efforts. I encourage them to remain vigilant, particularly at this time of year, and report any suspected fake goods on sale in the borough to our trading standards team."

Samples of the suspected counterfeit goods and pills will now be taken away for testing as part a thorough, ongoing investigation.