By Shop owners prosecuted over illegal tobacco
North Lincolnshire Council has prosecuted against seven shop owners in Scunthorpe for the sale of illegal tobacco.
Undercover purchasers were sent into numerous shops in November 2018 and illegal tobacco was purchased from nine shops on multiple occasions. This was followed up with raids by Trading Standards officers.
Cllr John Davison has said
“Our Trading Standards team have a zero tolerance policy to the possession and selling of illicit tobacco.”
“The prosecutions taken under Operation Indigo should act as a warning to business owners who choose to deal in illegal products that they will get caught and be prosecuted. These products may contain harmful substances.”
The owners of the shops were then issued fines totalling £9,527.
Details of the charges are as follows:
Siber Sadek Mohammed, owner of Nasza Biedronka and Smiths Convenience, both on Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe and Broadway Local on Bottesford Lane. He was fined £455 plus costs of £250 and a £34 victim surcharge.
Masud Ibrahim, owner of Helen International on Frodingham Road received a 12 month community order of 120 hours unpaid work, costs of £1090 and an £85 surcharge.
Barham Swara Mahmoud, owner of Delicia on Frodingham Road, received a £266 fine, costs of £740 and a £32 surcharge.
Halmet Hagi Ibrahimzadeh, owner of 2 Today on Frodingham Road, received a 12 month Community Order of 100 hours unpaid work, costs of £960 and an £85 surcharge.
Gafour Kadir, owner of Ashby Mini Mar on Ashby High Street received a £150 fine, costs of £700 costs and a £30 surcharge.
Taner Cakmak, director of Cottage Beck Stores Ltd on Cemetery Road, Scunthorpe, was fined £500, costs of £450 and a £50 surcharge. The company itself was fined £2500, costs of £450 and a £170 surcharge.
Another owner, Ali Abdullahi, of Link Stores, Frodingham Road was cautioned for the sale of illicit tobacco to the test purchasers.
Two further businesses are due to be prosecuted in June 2020 – the investigation into other shop owners selling illegal tobacco is ongoing.
Anyone with concerns or information on this story is advised to contact Trading Standards.
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