A trader on Manchester’s infamous ‘counterfeit street’ narrowly avoided jail after more than 19,000 fake designer goods were seized from a unit in Cheetham Hill.
Saeed Iqbal, 68, has previously been jailed for selling fake goods. A judge described his decision to return to the same crime as ‘astonishing’, especially given that he has a young family.
Manchester Crown Court heard that an undercover investigator attended the unit on Jury Street in Cheetham Hill, just off Bury New Road, in July 2020 and spoke with Iqbal.
Prosecuting, William Staunton said that they discussed the purchase of Superdry products. The investigator also made a test purchase of fragrances which were said to be by Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Versace.
The police later became involved and raided the property, seizing more than 19,000 counterfeit goods. The items included goods purporting to be made by luxury brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss.
About £60,000 had been transferred into two bank accounts operated by Iqbal, between July 2020 and April 2021. “This was, I am satisfied, a profitable enterprise,” Judge Sarah Johnston said.
An expert said that if the goods had been legitimate, they could have been worth anything from £285,000 to £952,000. Judge Johnston said: “This offending undermines reputable companies. Customers can be and are repeatedly misled and deceived.
Operation Vulcan has targeted the area
(Image: GMP)
“The offending harms genuine retailers of these branded products. There is little if any quality control over the products that are manufactured.”
The judge said she found it ‘astonishing’ that Iqbal, who has a five-year-old child, had committed further offences to those he had been previously jailed for. “I am satisfied it can only have been a degree of greed and ease that has led you to that decision making,” she said.
Michael James, Iqbal’s barrister, said: “He felt he needed to find a way of providing for his family. I’m afraid he felt he was in a position where he would resort to doing what he knows best.” Iqbal suffered a stroke in 2021 and has since suffered ‘mild cognitive impairment’.
Two of his children have serious health issues, the court was told. The judge told him: “I am persuaded, just, that the inevitable custodial sentence of two years can and should in your case be suspended.”
She said she was taking his ill-health into account, and added that his imprisonment would have a detrimental effect on his family. Iqbal, of Sandringham Road, Stockport, pleaded guilty to two counts of the unauthorised use of a trademark.
He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days, and pay £500 in prosecution costs.
In May last year, GMP chief constable Stephen Watson declared victory over ‘counterfeit street’ following a large scale police clampdown. In October 2022, the force launched Operation Vulcan, making arrests and shutting down units selling fake goods in the area once known as the ‘counterfeit capital of Europe’.
Police said the area was controlled by at least 32 gangs who were also said to have been involved in drug dealing and exploitation. The area is set to be bulldozed, with buildings on Bury New Road to be closed, compulsory purchased, and flattened.