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£8,500 penalty for supplying illicit and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco (26 April 2017)

Date: 26/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, £8,500 penalty for supplying illicit and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco

Thurrock Council in Essex has prosecuted a retailer in Grays for supplying illicit and dangerous cigarettes and tobacco.

Rober Raza, 25, of Gravesend, traded as Monikas Mini Mart on Orsett Road in Grays.

Raza pleaded guilty to eight offences relating to the possession and supply of illicit cigarettes and tobacco – including counterfeit goods – and was ordered to pay a total of £8,595 in fines and costs.

The investigation involved a multi-agency operation between Thurrock Council's Trading Standards team, Essex Police, HMRC and the Immigration Service.

The court heard that, despite efforts to hide the illicit and counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes in the shop counters, officers found and seized 6,500 cigarettes and 12kg of tobacco.

After sentencing, Thurrock Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Sue MacPherson, said:

“Operations such as this are a great benefit in reducing harm to the public and protecting the UK economy.

“The counterfeit cigarettes were not only defrauding the public – who were buying them in the belief they were genuine – they were also putting their lives at greater risk due to the harmful additives used, as well as the increased risk of fire.”


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