Dudley shopkeeper fined over illegal tobacco haul
Illegal cigarettes and tobacco were discovered hidden in a secret compartment built into a chair, by Trading Standards officers ,a court heard.
The team, which include a sniffer dog, carried out an inspection at Alena Mini Market in Dudley High Street.
Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court was told that in October 2016, trading standards officers inspected the shop and discovered 63 packets of cigarettes and tobacco which did not have the necessary health warnings.
They had also evaded excise duty, including four brands which were also found to be counterfeit. The duty evaded was estimated to be more than £400.
As well as finding packets hidden in a chair, some of the haul was discovered by the inspection team inside a jacket.
Khosnaw Fayiqi, aged 27, the proprietor of Alena Mini Market pleaded guilty to five offences when he appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on November 30.
These were one offence under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations relating to the lack of health warnings, four offences under the Trade Marks Act relating to counterfeit products and one offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act in respect of possessing criminal property which had evaded duty.
He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £30. All the illegal products seized were ordered to be forfeited for destruction.
Councillor Peter Miller, cabinet member responsible for health and wellbeing, said: “Selling illegal tobacco is a crime and offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in illegal products.
"While all smoking is harmful, illegal tobacco is sold at low prices and without the necessary health warnings which makes it easier for children and young smokers to get hooked on smoking.
“Cheap cigarettes also make it harder for people to quit and remain smoke free. It also deprives legitimate businesses of revenue and robs the tax payer of money that could be spent on schools and hospitals."
Residents are asked to report illegal tobacco by contacting Trading Standards on 01384 818871 or by telephoning Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
