The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency is warning those travelling abroad to be wary of counterfeit goods. Throughout October, the organisation is holding events at ports and airports to highlight the link between counterfeit products and serious organised crime. The UK Border Agency will also have representatives warning travellers that there is no such thing as victimless crime.

Both agencies are keen to point out the link between fake products, child prostitution, drugs and gun running. They want to make travellers aware that criminal gangs are reaping the benefits of selling goods with fake labels attached such as handbags, trainers, CDs and designer clothing.

A report published in 2006 said profits from fake goods brought the criminal organisations controlling operations around £90 million in profits. Detective chief inspector Ronnie Megaughin, the SCDEA’s deputy head of interventions, said the fake goods trade is linked to far more serious criminal activities, and travellers need to be made aware of this.

He added that criminal gangs are quick to tap into any opportunity that will increase their wealth and power and that counterfeit goods were an increasingly easy way to do this because of their popularity.

Scotland’s assistant director of the UK Border Agency, Murdo Macmillan, said the economic downturn was encouraging people to seek out bargains. However, these bargains are the fuel for more insidious crimes, he added. Today, SCDEA officers will be at Glasgow Airport reminding airline passengers that there is a link between the fake goods they are tempted to buy and organised crime.