Ismail Muhammed of Waterloo Stores faced consequences for selling illegal cigarettes in Stoke-on-Trent.
They discovered illegal cigarettes for sale. Stoke-on-Trent City Council and police worked together and seized 1,390 packs of cigarettes. Police also seized £17,000.
Muhammed received a suspended sentence of nine months, suspended for a year. He also needs to do 100 hours of unpaid work. This isn’t his first offense either.
Officials are not happy about it. They say illegal sales hurt honest businesses and make it easier for kids to get cigarettes, undermining efforts to reduce smoking.
Muhammed admitted his guilt in court, acknowledging he possessed criminal property and arranged to acquire criminal property. His prior conviction involved fake trademarks.
Police say the items risk public health and hurt law-abiding businesses. It negatively impacts local businesses because the shop was not operating within the law.