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Man sentenced for counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco

sentenced for counterfeit cigarettes

Man sentenced for counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco 

Saman Hamzay (24) from Chester Place, Cleethorpes, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to illegal cigarettes and tobacco on Friday 27 August.

The man appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court after attending another hearing where he admitted to three charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

78,360 illicit Richmond cigarettes, 1,540 counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes (3,995 packets) and 20 pouches of illegal Amber Leaf tobacco were all seized from Hamzay’s vehicle on February 2020, which led to his arrest.

The vehicle was parked outside of Hamzay’s workplace, Ferdawes International Foods on Freeman Street.

This comes after the shop’s owner was sentenced earlier this year for similar offences.

Hamzay’s illicit items were confiscated by North East Lincolnshire Council‘s Trading Standards officers and the East Marsh Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The council’s Operation Nightshade initiative aims to combat the supply of illegal tobacco in the borough.

The Trading Standards team have currently seized an impressive 885,848 illicit cigarettes and 722.9 kilos of tobacco since they began their mission.

The street value for these finds combined is nearly £400,000 – the legitimate value’s total comes to over £860,000.

The street value of the goods seized from Hamzay totaled £16,140 altogether but were legitimately valued at £40,370.

Genuine businesses face losses every year through the selling of illicit substances.

The local economy has reportedly faced a loss of £24,230 from these three offences alone.

Hamzay has since been sentenced for his charges relating to counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.

He received a 12-month community order which includes 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £565 in costs and an additional victim surcharge of £90.

The court did contemplate giving him a custodial sentence for a time due to the severity of his crimes, but his early guilty plea and personal circumstances were factored into the equation which led to this outcome.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “Each inspection that we carry out disrupts the supply chain.

“With the support of the public, we can bring an end to this criminal trade.

“We do this to protect you.

“These inspections are very much intelligence-led and we will act on information received and enforce where necessary, so please get in touch with the council’s Trading Standards team if you are concerned.”

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Lauren joined the Gi Media team in August 2021.