Moray Council: Hundreds of fake Labubu dolls and illicit tobacco seized from Scottish shops
Some counterfeit toys are said to have had poor stitching, exposed stuffing, or sharp internal components, creating a ‘risk of suffocation or injury’.
Hundreds of counterfeit Labubu dolls have been seized from shops across Moray.
The toys are poor-quality copies of the popular toys made by Pop Mart, which have gained cult status thanks to celebrity endorsements and social media.
These fake toys are said to pose serious safety risks for children, having not undergone required safety testing.
Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, councillor David Gordon, said: “The high demand for Labubu dolls has only amplified in the run-up to Christmas, so these raids have come at an important time.
“While counterfeit goods may – at face value – seem harmless, they are manufactured without adequate safety checks, and as officers have found, pose a serious risk to children and pets due to small parts that fall off quite easily.
“Any traders choosing to ignore these regulations can expect to have unsafe products seized.”
Counterfeit toys pose ‘choking hazards’ and create risk of ‘suffocation or injury’
Officers found that many had small parts – including plastic hands and feet – that could detach easily and pose choking hazards.
Others had poor stitching, exposed stuffing, or sharp internal components, creating a risk of suffocation or injury.
Fake toys seized elsewhere in the UK have also been found to contain harmful chemicals.
Recent joint operations, involving Moray Council Trading Standards, Police Scotland, and the Home Office Immigration Service, have resulted in illicit and non-duty paid tobacco products being seized.
If you believe you have purchased a fake or unsafe toy, or have information about sellers dealing in illicit tobacco, members of the public are being asked to contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.