A MAN has pleaded guilty with intending to supply thousands of counterfeit tobacco products after they were found stacked in his home.

Alamzeb Khan, from Ardwick Street, Burnley, admitted to four offences relating to counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco at the town's magistrates court.

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Trading Standards officers seized 6,492 items from Khan’s living room and cellar last year. Three quarters of these were found to be counterfeit.

He also pleaded guilty to an offence relating to incorrect health warnings on their packets.

Mr Khan, 31, told officers he had been looking after them for a friend and had been unaware they were counterfeit.

Illicit tobacco can sell for around half the price of legitimate packets and no tax is paid on them.

Paul Noone, head of Lancashire County Council’s trading standards service, said: “The availability of cheap illegal tobacco and lack of pictorial warnings on these products both contribute to keeping smoking rates high in East Lancashire.

“While surveys show a higher percentage of child smokers buy illicit tobacco than adult smokers.

“This seizure sends out a message to those operating illegally that such activity will not be tolerated.”

Counterfeit cigarettes have been found not to comply with the requirements to self-extinguish if left unattended and have been linked to house-fire deaths around the UK.

Khan was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months.

He must also carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay costs and a victim surcharge of £1,800.

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “I deplore such behaviour of selling and smoking them.

“People shouldn’t buy them because of the impact on trade."