A shopkeeper who ran an entire counterfeit store in Manchester has today been sentenced for trading fake goods.
Husamaclin Karimi, 28, imported counterfeit goods and distributed them internationally for years from his store in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
In October 2019, during a police raid, more than £96,000 worth of fake designer goods were discovered on the premises – each listed for upwards of £20.
During the warrant of the property, officers were invited in by Karimi, who took them to into the rear rooms of the premises through a locked door.
He told officers that they could purchase items from between £20 to £50, before realising that the officers were not customers.
Karimi was arrested and during an interview admitted to being the store manager and selling counterfeit goods which he knew was illegal.
Karimi’s phones were also seized and examined with hundreds of images of counterfeit goods located.
Fifty three different brands, including Louis Vuitton and Gucci, were found in the three story shop, including thousands of branded labels imported separately to be sown onto counterfeit clothing, handbags and shoes.
On May 10, Karimi was sentenced at Tameside Magistrates' Court to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He has also been issued a four month curfew from 7pm to 7am, and all counterfeit items seized will be destroyed.
Detective Constable, Daryl Fryatt, who led the investigation through the City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal.
“This sentencing will have caused serious impact to the Cheetham Hill area that is known for selling and importing counterfeit goods.
“This has hopefully sent a strong message to other criminals involved in counterfeit goods that it won’t be tolerated and you will be brought to justice.
“For the public it is vital to remember you don’t know what other crimes you are funding when buying counterfeit goods, or the conditions those working for the criminals are working in.”
