MORE than £300,000 of fake designer clothing seized by police is being donated to charity.
Officers confiscated the goods during raids on stalls at the Barras market in Glasgow between 2009 and 2010 and are being given to the local Caring City charity to distribute abroad.
The items include fake Ugg boots, Armani t-shirts, Adidas trainers and Prada tracksuits. Police estimate they are worth more than £315,000.
Chief Inspector David Pettigrew said the brands affected support the donation.
"Rather than destroying the clothing, we thought it would make more sense that a local charity benefit from the donation," he said.
"For us this is a win, win situation. We take them from the criminals and give to people in need. We have the consent and support of the brands to make the donation, for which we are very grateful."
Rev Neil Galbraith, chief executive of Caring City, described the donation as "remarkable".
He said: "It will allow us to continue to support our overseas work, while at the same time allow us to divert much needed assistance and caring to the people of the west of Scotland through the resources being saved and the costs involved.
"It is important to note we are Glasgow's aid charity and carry the name of our city with great pride. In this Commonwealth Games year, when the world comes to Glasgow, it's important to let it be known the generosity of Glasgow will always be shown to a world in need."
Mr Pettigrew said police will continue to target the sale of counterfeit goods.
"While the goods may look good and are cheap, your money is going directly to fund organised crime and has a significant impact on honest traders and the communities in which we all live," he said.
The Anti-Counterfeit Group and the Scottish Anti Illicit Trade Group approved the donation, which the brands affected agreed to on the basis the goods go to a third world country.
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