Shop owner fined for sale and supply of illicit tobacco

A Dukinfield shop owner has been ordered to pay over £1000 by Tameside magistrates after pleading guilty to four charges in relation to the sale and supply of illicit tobacco.

The court heard on 8 April that Tameside Council trading standards officers carried out two test purchases at S Shop, King Street, Dukinfield, in 2021 and 2022, which resulted in the business selling illegal tobacco on both occasions.

A later visit to the premises resulted in a seizure by trading standards officers of 257 packets of illegal cigarettes.

The haul resulted in seven charges being brought against Kambiz Esmailpour, of King Street, Dukinfield, as the owner of the business.

Mr Esmailpour pleaded guilty to four of the charges. In mitigation he said he was not at the shop at the time of the test purchases and was abroad when the cigarettes were seized. Mr Esmailpour is no longer in the retail industry anymore.

Tameside magistrates sentenced him to a £300 fine and ordered him to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £750 costs.

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “Trade in illicit tobacco costs the country more than £2 billion in lost tax revenue each year. It also supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people. Public protection is a priority for us and our officers will always take enforcement action where necessary to help keep our local communities safe as well as to support local business that comply with the law.”
 
For further information on Tameside Trading Standards and the support available for consumers and businesses see www.tameside.gov.uk/tradingstandards