Bizarre reason 1500 Pokemon toys seized at Perth International Airport

It is believed the thousands of toys, seized from a traveller returning home from Thailand, were destined to be sold at a major community event.

More than 1400 Pokemon toys destined for a major community entertainment event have been seized at the Australian border, believed to be counterfeit.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped a traveller at Perth International Airport, who was returning home from Thailand.

After declaring they were carrying commercial goods, officers searched their luggage, which revealed a staggering amount of potentially counterfeit items destined to be sold at the Perth Royal Show this month.

A total of 1465 items were seized. Picture: ABF

Masses of Pokemon-themed toys were uncovered, with officers seizing a total of 1465 items including pencil cases, key rings and hair clips.

Superintendent Vesna Gavranich said the items, which the traveller said were intended to be sold at the community event, were “likely not safe for children”.

“Counterfeit goods impact every industry, and so this is a great detection by our officers and a timely reminder to the community,” she said in a statement.

It is believed the items were intended to be sold at the Perth Royal Show. Picture: ABF

The items are being held while ABF investigates the legitimacy of the products. Picture: ABF

“There are serious health, safety and environmental concerns over fake versions of products including children’s toys, cosmetics, batteries, even safety equipment like airbags.

“When making purchase choices remember that ‘if it looks too good to be true, it usually is’. The risk to your health is not worth the few dollars you might save.”

The seized items are being held by the ABF while the legitimacy of the products is investigated.

No one has been charged.

It brings the total of individual items seized by the ABF this year to more than 112,000, with an estimated value of about $40m.

Originally published as Bizarre reason 1500 Pokemon toys seized at Perth International Airport