Fleetwood Market trader given suspended sentence over illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods
Trading Standards seized 850 packets of cigarettes and 319 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco
A market trader who repeatedly sold illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods at Fleetwood Market has been given suspended prison sentences.
Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards team investigated 52-year-old Mubarak Yakub Patel, of Blackburn.
He pleaded guilty to 15 offences relating to non-compliant tobacco products and counterfeit mobile phone accessories sold on his stall.
Trading Standards officers carried out a series of test purchases and inspections between April and September 2025.
The council said officers seized 850 packets of cigarettes and 319 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco.
It said much of the tobacco was smuggled, non-duty paid or counterfeit.
Counterfeit mobile phone accessories and earphones were also found bearing unauthorised trademarks, including Apple, Samsung, Barbie, Dior, Fendi, Kenzo and Nike.
Patel pleaded guilty to all of the offences at Burnley Magistrates' Court in September 2026.
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 5th November 2026.
Miss Recorder Jones highlighted his previous convictions in 2009 and 2016 for similar offences.
She told him he had known the consequences of continuing to offend.
Patel received a six-week custodial sentence for the tobacco offences and a four-month custodial sentence for the trademark offences.
Both sentences are suspended for 24 months and will run concurrently.
He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Applications for the forfeiture of the seized goods are still outstanding while proceedings continue under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Councillor Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: "Illegal tobacco and counterfeit goods harm legitimate businesses, damage our communities and can put consumers at risk."
He added: "This prosecution sends a clear message: we will continue to crack down on traders who break the law and profit from illegal goods."
The council said Trading Standards officers work closely with HM Revenue and Customs, Lancashire Constabulary and other partner organisations to identify and disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods across the county.
Anyone with information about the sale of illicit tobacco or counterfeit goods can report it anonymously via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk