A Stoke-on-Trent man has been given a suspended prison sentence at Stoke Crown Court after being caught with over £100,000 of illegal tobacco.
A Stoke-on-Trent man has been given a suspended prison sentence at Stoke Crown Court after being caught with over £100,000 of illegal tobacco.
Talib Mustafa pleaded guilty on May 10 2024 at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to five counts under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
The charges were linked to the possession of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, from his home, and also being involved in the supply of illegal tobacco from Victoria Shop at 101 Church Street, Stoke where he was paying the rent.
Staffordshire Police officers searched the loft and garage at his house on 31 May 2020.
They discovered 8,726 packets of illegal cigarettes and 1,254 (50g) packs of illegal hand-rolling tobacco with a combined retail value of £108,251.50. Officers searched the shop to which he was linked and seized 362 packets of illegal cigarettes with a retail value of £3710.50.
The case was referred to the City Council’s Trading Standards Team for investigation of the Trade Marks Act and illegal tobacco offences.
One thousand packets of cigarettes were fake Richmond brand and the packets of hand rolling tobacco were fake Amber Leaf brand.
He appeared at Stoke Crown Court on August 1 2024 for sentencing.
Mustafa was given five jail sentences ranging from one month to six months for each of the counts, all suspended for six months and to run concurrently.
The cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were ordered to be destroyed and the £1,685 was confiscated.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability, said: “This is another successful prosecution by our trading standards team who work hard to keep consumers in the city safe. It is also a great example of our partnership working with Staffordshire Police.
“The work carried out by them sends a strong message to individuals and businesses alike, who are involved in the distribution, storage and sale of illegal tobacco. This criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone who is found to be dealing in these products will face consequences.
“The trade in illegal tobacco is not only harmful to business in the city who are trading legally, but it creates a cheap source of tobacco for children and young people. It also undermines all of the good work being done to stop people smoking. The illegal tobacco trade more often than not has strong links to other criminal activity and organised crime.”
Inspector Emma Kempson, from the Stoke South local policing team, said: “Results like this are made possible by working closely with partners, acting on intelligence and acting on community concerns.
“We’re committed to tackling this type of activity in our county and are working closely with our partners to put a stop to the illegal supply and distribution of these products across Staffordshire.”
The five counts and sentencing were:
- Count 1 - Concealing criminal property- 8,726 packets of cigarettes and 1,254 packets of rolling tobacco, all counterfeit. Six months imprisonment.
- Count 4 - Possession of Criminal Property- £1,685 cash. Three months iimprisonment.
- Count 5 - Entering into arrangement to retain criminal property- paying rent on Victoria Stores 30/4/20 to 5/6/20. One month imprisonment.
- Count 6 - Possession of good bearing a false trademark- 1,000 packets of Richmond cigarettes. One month imprisonment.
- Count 7 - Possession of goods bearing a false trademark- 1,254 packets of rolling tobacco. One month imprisonment.
To report someone selling illegal tobacco call the Trading Standards fakes hotline on 01782 238444.
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