Fleetwood Market trader sentenced after hundreds of illicit tobacco products seized
A market trader who repeatedly sold illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods has been sentenced following an investigation by Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards team.
Mubarak Yakub Patel, 52, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to 15 offences relating to non-compliant tobacco products and counterfeit mobile phone accessories sold on his stall at Fleetwood Market.
Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards officers carried out a series of test purchases and inspections between April and September 2025.
During the investigation, officers seized 850 packets of cigarettes and 319 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, much of which was smuggled, non-duty paid or counterfeit.
Counterfeit mobile phone accessories and earphones were also discovered bearing unauthorised Trademarks including Apple, Samsung, Barbie, Dior, Fendi, Kenzo and Nike.
Patel pleaded guilty to all offences at Burnley Magistrates' Court in September 2026.
At Preston Crown Court on 5 November 2026, Miss Recorder Jones highlighted Patel's previous convictions in 2009 and 2016 for similar offences, telling 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 suspended for 24 months and to run concurrently. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Applications for the forfeiture of the seized goods remain outstanding while proceedings continue under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said:
"Illegal tobacco and counterfeit goods harm legitimate businesses, damage our communities and can put consumers at risk.
This prosecution sends a clear message: we will continue to crack down on traders who break the law and profit from illegal goods."
Lancashire County Council's 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