Throwing knives and fake cigarettes found during raid of Bradford off licence

“THROWING knives” and counterfeit cigarettes were found during a raid on a Bradford city centre off licence.

On Wednesday Bradford Council will hold reviews of two off licences, The branch of Lynxes on Sunbridge Road, and the second Lynxes branch on Kirkgate.

The reviews – which could see the businesses stripped of their alcohol licence, follow raids by West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards in April.

At one of the stores, officers found illegal tobacco in a hidden compartment in the shop’s toilet.

And a member of staff at one shop joked with officers, saying she would reveal other businesses selling illegal goods if they left their contraband alone.

The licence holder for both businesses, Mohammed Jamal, has said he was not in the country at the time of the raids, and did not authorise the sale of contraband cigarettes.

At Wednesday’s hearing he will argue that he should not be stripped of his licence due to the acts of his employees who he left in charge of the store.

A report by West Yorkshire Trading Standards to Bradford Council’s Licensing Panel says both off licenses were visited by undercover “test purchasers” on April 2.

At the Sunbridge Road branch, the purchaser was sold a packet of Lambert & Butler for £5. Police say this was later identified as counterfeit.

At the Kirkgate branch they were sold a packet of Richmond that were later found to be counterfeit.

These test purchases were followed by raids on the store on April 8.

Referring to the raid on the Sunbridge Road store, the statement from Trading Standards said: “During this inspection, officers located and seized large quantities of illegal tobacco products, including 445 packets of 20 cigarettes, 29 x 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, and 13 packs of shisha tobacco.

“The illicit products were found concealed in multiple locations throughout the premises, including under the counter, within upstairs storage areas, and hidden inside a false wall within the toilet area.

“The tobacco products seized were confirmed to be unlawful. Trading Standards officers further identified that the products included counterfeit cigarettes, non-duty paid goods bearing foreign excise stamps, and so-called “illicit whites”, which are commonly associated with international organised criminal supply chains.

“The extent of concealment within the premises, combined with the quantity and nature of the products seized, demonstrates planning, knowledge, and deliberate intent to evade detection. This activity cannot be characterised as inadvertent non-compliance or the failing of a single individual. Rather, it reflects criminality that is integral to the way the premises has been operated. While on the shop floor, officers found that two boxes of throwing knives were located under the counter. These items are prohibited weapons. The throwing knives were seized, along with a large kitchen knife and a smaller potato-peeler-style knife, both of which were also located under the counter, within easy reach.

“To permit this premises to continue operating under a premises licence would present an ongoing risk to the community.”

Referring to the raid on the Kirkgate branch, the report from Trading Standards says: “Two female members of staff were present and provided identification.

“One stated she had worked at the premises for approximately three years, while the other claimed it was her first day of employment.

“When asked directly whether there were any illicit tobacco products on the premises, the more established staff member denied their presence.

“This denial was subsequently shown to be false.

“A search of the premises revealed deliberate concealment of illicit tobacco products, including:

Cigarettes hidden inside gift boxes beneath shelving behind the counter

A suitcase containing cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco located in the storage area

A large handbag next to the suitcase, also containing cigarettes

“The storage area had access to a rear door leading to a communal space shared with neighbouring businesses, raising further concerns around uncontrolled access and distribution.

“When challenged about her earlier denial, the staff member stated ‘I’m not supposed to say anything, I just work here.’

“She gestured towards the CCTV cameras above the counter and appeared cautious about speaking whilst within view of them, suggesting an awareness of wrongdoing and surveillance.

‘“As officers were preparing to leave, the same individual stated ‘I’ll tell you the other shops that are doing it if you leave my stuff here’ before laughing.

“This statement demonstrates a casual and dismissive attitude towards serious criminality, and implies wider involvement in the illicit tobacco trade.

“A total of 318 x packets of 20 cigarettes and 11 x 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco were seized from the premises.”

A statement by licence holder Mohammed Jamal will be presented to the committee, detailing why he should not be stripped of his licences.

It says: “The licence holder’s evidence is that he left the United Kingdom on February 17 2026 and returned on April 18 2026. On that basis, he says that he was absent on both the alleged test purchase date of April 2 2026 and the enforcement / visit date of April 8 2026.

“The licence holder’s case is not that he authorised unlawful conduct in pursuit of commercial advantage.

“His position is that he authorised only lawful, duty-paid stock; that he did not authorise knives or weapons to be kept at the Sunbridge Road premises; and that, if offending stock was acquired or retained, it was acquired or retained by staff without his knowledge and outside the ordinary lawful sourcing arrangements of the businesses.”

It says the staff involved no longer work at the stores.