Two men have been sentenced to jail after a Welsh corner shop was found to be making £1,200 a day by selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco. Shakawan Ali and Rebin Sabir were described as “trusted individuals” who had been placed in the store by higher-ups in the criminal organization to manage the illegal business. The Swansea Crown Court heard that trading standards officers discovered a stash of fake cigarettes hidden in a secret compartment behind guttering at the rear of the premises.
The illegal operation was uncovered following a series of test purchases conducted at the shop, named Swansea Market, on St. Helen’s Road. Counterfeit cigarettes sold under popular brands like Richmond and Lambert and Butler were seized during these test purchases. Upon searching the premises, officers found a large quantity of hidden cigarettes behind the shop’s gantry, with additional products discovered at Ali’s residence, along with a substantial amount of cash and incriminating documents.
Further investigations revealed that the illegal tobacco and cigarettes seized had an estimated street value of approximately £31,941. The court also heard that the operation was raking in profits of around £1,200 per day. Sabir took over the running of the shop after Ali, and additional test purchases during this period led to the discovery of more counterfeit tobacco products. Subsequent searches at Sabir’s home address yielded additional illegal tobacco products.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to multiple offences related to selling counterfeit tobacco products and were sentenced to prison terms. Ali received a 12-month sentence, while Sabir was sentenced to nine months, with the latter’s term to run consecutively to a current sentence he is already serving. Despite claims of innocence and lack of knowledge about the extent of the operation, evidence including seized products, documents, and electronic devices pointed to their involvement in the illicit business.
The prosecutor highlighted that while Ali and Sabir were not the masterminds behind the operation, they played crucial roles in managing the criminal enterprise. The pair had reportedly been trusted to oversee the day-to-day activities of the shop, contributing to its substantial daily earnings from the sale of counterfeit tobacco products. The court emphasized the seriousness of their involvement, considering the profitability and scale of the illicit operation.
This case sheds light on the pervasive issue of counterfeit goods being sold in the UK, prompting authorities to crack down on illegal activities in corner shops and small businesses. The sentencing of Ali and Sabir serves as a warning to individuals involved in similar illicit activities, highlighting the legal repercussions and harsh penalties associated with selling counterfeit products. Authorities continue to monitor and investigate such operations to safeguard consumers and uphold the law. Such criminal activities not only undermine legitimate businesses but also pose health risks to unsuspecting consumers.