A man who imported almost £4 million worth of counterfeit designer goods into Scotland has been jailed for three years.
Ian Jones, 65, from Paisley, brought fake high-branded clothing from the Far East and Turkey over 17 months and sold it from three industrial units in Glasgow and Lanarkshire between June 2021 and November 2022.
Trading Standards Scotland officers uncovered the haul after raids on the units, including five rented Portacabins in Ibrox in June 2021 which resulted in what was, at the time, the largest recovery of counterfeit goods of its kind in the UK.
The fakes included labels such as Gucci, Prada, Stone Island, Dior and Canada Goose, among other brands, and were so extensive that it took officers two days to collate the 30-tonne haul.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Jones was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after admitting 15 combined charges of selling counterfeit goods valued at £3.8m.
Andrew Laing, Procurator Fiscal for South Strathclyde, said: “Ian Jones has been convicted of a deliberate attempt to profit from criminal activity at the expense of consumers, legitimate businesses and well-known brands.
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“This was a counterfeit operation on an industrial scale. Legitimate businesses work hard to build brand awareness and have a right to be protected from those who steal their intellectual property rights.
“The sale of counterfeit goods not only harms genuine manufacturers and retailers, but also means the purchaser receives low-quality goods that have not been subject to the same tests and standards as official items.
“Buying counterfeit goods supports criminal activity and harms the local economy by undermining legitimate retail businesses and traders. I hope this conviction shows that we treat such criminality with the utmost seriousness and will always take prosecutorial action when it is in the public interest to do so.”
Jones stored the goods at units in College Milton Industrial Estate in East Kilbride, Righead Industrial Estate in Bellshill and sites in Glasgow.
The items were imported from Hong Kong, China and Turkey, transported to the East Midlands and then taken to his home address, before being moved on to the industrial cabins, where they were sold directly to customers for cash using word of mouth.
Despite being arrested following the discovery of the Ibrox haul, he continued to run his illegal business in East Kilbride and Bellshill.
Fiona Richardson, chief officer for Trading Standards Scotland, said: “TSS welcomes the sentence issued today. As illicit trade is a priority for both TSS and the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, the team will continue to undertake actions against those selling counterfeit goods.
“These actions are aimed at protecting consumers and legitimate businesses by preventing the sale of counterfeit products across Scotland, which can often be unsafe and stored in unsanitary conditions. This verdict also highlights the importance of partnership working with Police Scotland, local authority trading standards, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group and brand holders, all contributing to this outcome.”
Jones will now be subject to confiscation action under the proceeds of crime legislation to recover money illegally gained.
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