Legal News

Wigan Council's Trading Standards department has prosecuted a Wigan shopkeeper, after a raid in March 2016 uncovered large quantities of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.

Sniffer dogs and environmental health officers raided Krakow Sklep off- licence, based at 189 Manchester Road in Ince, Wigan – and found 13,000 illegal cigarettes and 1.5kg of illegal tobacco in the shop and upstairs flat.

On 13 September at Wigan Magistrates’ Court, Soran Hematzadeh – previously of Krakow Sklep off licence – was fined £268, with £100 in costs and victim surcharge of £30, to be paid at £100 per month.

The court also granted a forfeiture and destruction order for the tobacco valued at £2,500. In court, Hematzadeh said he had now disposed of ownership of the shop.

After sentencing, Wigan Council Cabinet Member for environment, Councillor Kevin Anderson, said:

“We are grateful to members of the public who gave us the information which enabled us to make these discoveries.

“We rely on this intelligence to help us stop illegal tobacco from being available on our streets.

“The illegal tobacco trade is a vile trade which makes it easier for children to access cigarettes smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families – and is unfair on law abiding local businesses.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving counterfeit goods or misrepresentation in England and Wales – including illegal cigarettes or alcohol, counterfeit DVDs or CDs and unlicensed medications.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence lawyers and can also advise on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
For expert legal advice on all criminal charges involving counterfeit goods, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

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