Zahid Iqbal told Liverpool Council he had “no idea” what was going on at his shop, Shizy’s Off Licence on Picton Road, Wavertree, after authorities discovered his brother was selling erectile dysfunction pills hidden in the till. Merseyside Police and Trading Standards found single tablets concealed in the till drawer, and a quantity of illegal goods in a cashbox that his brother claimed were for personal use. The city council’s licensing and gambling committee stripped the shop of its premises licence due to serious health and safety concerns.
Brother’s Role and Discovery of Illegal Goods
Mr Iqbal repeatedly stated he was unaware of the illegal activity, despite his brother running the shop during visits. PC Nicola Ireland said police had “serious concerns about ongoing criminal activity” at the shop. During visits in September 2025 and April 2026, officers recovered medical-grade tablets in a cashbox at the back of the premises. Claire Jones from Trading Standards said money in the box likely came from sales of the goods. Officials also found blister packs cut up for individual sale tucked in the till drawer.
Owner’s Defence and Committee’s Response
When asked why tablets were hidden, Mr Iqbal replied: “They weren’t hidden, they were in the till.” He claimed he was “not aware of what was going on in my premises” and blamed his brother: “My brother was selling them without my knowledge and I let him go for that reason.” He added that when he worked his three fixed shifts per week, the tablets and other illegal items—including fake Labubu dolls and laughing gas canisters—were not visible. Chair Cllr Christine Banks rejected his excuses, stating: “I’m not accepting that, it’s your business, it’s your money. Anyone who’s got a business goes in every week to do a stock take.” Mr Iqbal apologised and promised to rectify the situation, but PC Ireland said police viewed his protests as “too little, too late” and had “no confidence” in his management.
Public Health Warnings
Earlier in June 2026, Professor Matt Ashton, Liverpool’s director of Public Health, expressed deep concern about fake and potentially harmful products sold locally. He said: “These items are not only illegal; they pose serious risks to people’s health. Fake and unlicensed medicines may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect doses, or dangerous contaminants, and are often sold without instructions, safeguards, or any clinical oversight. For example, legitimate treatments like Viagra are only safe when supplied through regulated routes, with appropriate checks; anything sold outside of this system should be treated with extreme caution.” Cllr Banks said the licence was stripped for the “health and safety of the public.”
