A shopkeeper from Newcastle has been given a suspended jail sentence, ordered to do unpaid work and fined for selling illicit tobacco.
Hardi Mahammad Saleh, aged 50 from Pear Tree Lane in Newcastle, sold illicit tobacco products from Newcastle Mini Market, Brunswick Street, Newcastle.
The conviction follows an investigation by Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards service, which uncovered a sophisticated concealment in his shop used to hide illegal tobacco products. The hidden compartment featured a hydraulic lift mechanism operated by an electronic key fob.
During an operation in July 2023, officers seized 25,940 illicit cigarettes, together with a quantity of illicit tobacco products.
Mr Saleh pleaded guilty to 23 offences at a previous hearing. He was sentenced at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday 13 July to six months custody, suspended for 12 months with 80 hours of unpaid work for trademark offences. He was also given three months custody, suspended for 12 months, for the other offences and ordered to pay costs of £2,796.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
"This is another great result for the team, demonstrating our commitment to protecting residents, supporting legitimate businesses, and taking tough action against economic crime in our communities.
"The sale of illegal tobacco undermines responsible retailers, harms public health, and can be linked to wider criminal activity. Working with our partners, we will continue to identify and disrupt illicit tobacco and other forms of economic crime that damage our high streets, exploit consumers, and threaten community safety."
This is not the first time Mr Saleh has been prosecuted. On 17 January 2023, he was also ordered to complete 220 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £2,245 following a previous prosecution for similar offences.
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco or other goods can report them online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.
