ABC Imports Director Sentenced for Selling Hazardous Toys in Manchester

Thousands of potentially dangerous toys have been taken off the streets after the Council intercepted a shipment destined for Manchester shops. 

In January 2024 Council Trading Standards officers was notified by the UK Border Force of a consignment of goods that had arrived in the country. 

Tracked down to ABC Imports, in Wooley Street, Manchester, officers conducted a search of the premises and a range of items were taken away for testing. These included toys from big brands like Hello Kitty, Nintendo, Cocomelon and Mattel-Barbie. 

In total, 3,633 items were removed from the premises.  

Of the samples taken a range of hazards were identified, proving that the goods were unsafe for sale and posed a serious risk to young children who played with them.  

Issues found included: 

• The strap on a Hello Kitty guitar did not have a breakaway feature, posing a strangulation risk 
• Non-compliant packaging that could pose a suffocation risk 
• Poor quality of assembly resulting in parts detaching, posing a choking hazard 
• Unsecured battery compartments 
• A range of non-compliant labelling 

Company representative Ali Yaser Afzali was interviewed by Trading Standards officers, claiming that the toys were imported from China and that they were “legit.” He could not give any safety reports, or invoices for the purchased goods. 

Another visit was carried out by officers in November of 2024 where an extra 848 items were seized from the premises. Tests found that, again, they did not meet safety standards or specifications which permitted their sale in the UK.  

Court Result:

On Friday 13 February 2026, at a hearing held at Tameside Magistrates Court, the company director of ABC Imports – Ali Yaser Afzali – was handed a six month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work and told to pay costs of £2,500 along with a victims of crime surcharge of £154. The court also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the counterfeit toys found by the Council’s Trading Standards officers. 

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: 

“What we learned from this case was the total disregard this wholesaler had for safety regulations. Those regulations are in place to keep people safe, and in the case of these toys, to keep children safe. 

“To act as if they were not a concern is shocking and I’m glad the court also took this view. I’m grateful for the skill and determination of our legal officers and Trading Standards team in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”