A rogue trader has been fined for selling “shoddy” counterfeit designer goods to the public.
Habibullah Salary, a market trader from Harrow, was busted by Harrow Council’s Trading Standards team and the police, with more than 750 fake handbags and trainers with a street value of around £23,000.
After raiding his home and van, authorities found fake Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada goods packed to the rafters.
Michael Kors handbags seized
Trading Standards also discovered that Salary ran a stall at Bovingdon market. He was selling the dodgy handbags at around £20-£30 a pop.
He appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court where he was convicted of possession of counterfeit goods for sale.
In addition to having all his fake merchandise seized, he was given 60 hours community service, a £500 fine and was ordered to pay £562.50 in court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
Salary's packed garage
Harrow councillor, Varsha Parmar, said: “It might have been a series of unfortunate events for Salary, but thanks to our officers and the police, that’s another one off our streets.
“Rogues like him are driven by greed, to make quick money by selling knock-off gear. It’s just not on and simply unfair on traders and business operating properly.”
Salary's loaded van
Simon Legg, senior Trading Standards service manager added: “Salary’s game was over when our officers raided his garage – despite his lack of cooperation with our investigation, there was no way he could lie his way out of it.
“It’s our job to enforce the law, to protect consumers and legitimate businesses selling genuine products, and we’ll continue to come down on anyone else trading illegally and irresponsibly.”
Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service, tel: 0345 404 0506.
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