Blackpool market trader in court after police raid stall and seize weapons

Stall owner Lookman Atcha, 45, was arrested after a raid on his stall at Foxhall Market in Dale Street on July 4 last year.

Thousands of weapons were seized – including ‘zombie’ knives, axes, samurai swords, machetes and crossbows.

Officers also found a range of knives disguised as makeup cases and wallets, along with suspected edible drugs marketed towards children, including ‘cannabis lollipops’ priced at £1.

The menacing-looking weapons had reportedly been sold openly on the market stall for years, though it’s not clear why they were permitted by the authorities for so long before being seized.

An image taken from Google Street View appears to show a range of knives and swords on display in the window of the market as far back as 2014.

The market raid was supported by the Blackpool Council Community Safety Team and Trading Standards, who also seized significant quantities of illicit e-cigarettes.

Market trader Atcha, of Alberta Road, Bolton, did not enter a plea to a charge of possessing the weapons in a public place in July last year.

He also faces allegations of possessing the Class A drug Crystal Meth and the pain relief drug Gabapentin (used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain).

The court sent the cases to be dealt with at Preston Crown Court where he will appear on Tuesday, April 18.

He was bailed in the meantime.