Illegal tobacco stock destroyed by council

BAGS of fags . . . the cigarettes seized in Oldham

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CRIMINALS trying to make a fast buck in Oldham are seeing their pipe dreams go up in flames.

For Oldham Council is destroying the illegal cigarettes crooks are trying to profit from by setting fire to them.

In the last three years, the council's Trading Standards officers have incinerated more than 100,000 illegal cigarettes and 115kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco - worth an estimated £86,500.

Officers seized the products from shops and pubs across the borough.

All were either counterfeit or breached the labelling requirements of the UK.

Following the seizures the courts have ordered the individuals involved to pay £6,500 in fines and hand over £11,000 in costs and £520 in victim surcharges.

Those found guilty have also had to carry out a total of 460 hours of community service with others handed 12 month custodial sentences suspended for 18 months.

Councillor Fida Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said: "Over the last few years we've been one of the highest performing local authorities in the North West when it comes to the search and seizure of illicit tobacco.

"Together with our partners we will continue to disrupt traders who feel it is acceptable to sell goods that are unlawful and unsafe in some circumstances.

"We will continue to use search techniques, including sniffer dogs, to remove these items from traders and make sure they face the appropriate penalties."

In one case last October, four men were convicted at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court for selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.

Sniffer dogs had helped trading standards officers and police uncover stashes hidden behind false panels and flooring at two Oldham town centre stores: the Polish Food Store on Yorkshire Street and Eastern Europe Food Store in Union Street. Customers had complained about the quality of the tobacco.

Kawa Jawadani, of Edlingham, Rochdale; Soran Shapoli (32), of Flora Street, Oldham; and Rasul Ahmadi (40), now of Aysgarth Road, Batley; received four-month jail sentences suspended for 18 months, were ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £2,000 each in costs.

The fourth man, 23-year old Bahman Zada of Goodrich Street, Rochdale, who the court was told was acting under instructions in selling counterfeit goods, was given 120 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

You can report premises selling illicit tobacco by ringing 0300 999 0000 or online via www.keep-it-out.co.uk