A Birmingham market trader has admitted 14 counts of possessing counterfeit clothing which he planned to sell.
Ashiq Hussain, aged 39, of Kilmorie Road, Acocks Green, appeared at Bristol Crown Court where he is due to return for sentencing in April.
The clothing found in his possession carried fake trade marks for several well known brands, including Adidas, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Superdry, Henri Lloyd, Moschino, Bench, Dolce and Gabbana, Timberland, Lacoste, G Star, Lyle and Scott and JLS.
He was prosecuted following an investigation by the South West Scambuster Team, a Bristol based regional trading standards agency.
On Sunday November 28 2010 an early morning joint operation by the South West Scambuster Team together with Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol Trading Standards resulted in two vans being stopped and examined as they approached Bristol along the M32 and a large quantity of suspected counterfeit clothing was seized.
South West Scambuster manager Alan Evans said: ‘This is a fantastic result and we hope it sends out a message that we will not tolerate this type of consumer rip-off.
“Not only does it pass off inferior goods as genuine but it undermines legitimate retailers who are trying to making an honest living in difficult trading conditions.
“We will continue work with our partner agencies to eradicate these conmen from our market places.’
