Shopkeeper Ordered to Pay £10,000 Prosecution Costs for Selling Illegal Cigarettes
A shopkeeper convicted of selling counterfeit big-brand cigarettes such as Lambert & Butler, Marlboro, and Benson & Hedges has been instructed to pay over £10,000 in prosecution costs. Yarech Kader, who was making around £300 per day from the illicit cigarette trade at his Swansea store, found himself in hot water when trading standards officers uncovered his scheme. Despite Kader’s repeated absences from court appearances and attempts to delay sentencing, he was eventually arrested in the English East Midlands and imprisoned for two years for his illegal cigarette operation at the Asia Market store on St Helen’s Road in Swansea.
During the recent court hearing seeking prosecution costs, barrister Rebecca Griffiths highlighted that the sentencing exercise had to be listed eight times due to Kader’s non-compliance. Consequently, the prosecution requested a costs order amounting to £10,419, which was granted by Judge Huw Rees considering Kader’s deliberate evasion tactics. In addition to the prosecution costs, the judge also ordered the confiscation of 272 packets of cigarettes seized during the enforcement operation conducted by the council.
Kader, who appeared via videolink from prison without legal representation, expressed inability to pay the sum while incarcerated. Judge Rees assured him that he would only need to settle the costs once he was released. The court was informed during the initial sentencing that Kader had a history of convictions related to unlawful tobacco activities, including fines and a suspended prison sentence in previous cases.
The shopkeeper’s troubles began in May 2015 when he pleaded guilty to 21 offences of supplying and possessing unlawful tobacco in Gloucestershire Magistrates’ Court, resulting in a £19,000 fine. Subsequent convictions in 2016 and 2018 for possessing counterfeit tobacco led to additional fines and a suspended prison term. Kader’s illicit trade in cigarettes continued until his arrest and subsequent sentencing in 2024, culminating in the recent order to cover prosecution costs.
With Kader’s persistent non-attendance and evasion of justice, the judge deemed the imposed costs necessary to reflect the repeated delays caused by the defendant’s actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences facing individuals involved in illegal activities and the subsequent financial penalties and legal repercussions they may encounter. The successful prosecution of Kader stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in combatting illicit trade practices, ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law in society.
The sentencing of individuals like Kader sends a strong message about the serious consequences of engaging in illegal activities, particularly in the realm of counterfeit goods and illicit trade. The court’s decision to order Kader to pay the substantial prosecution costs underscores the commitment to holding offenders accountable for their actions and deterring others from participating in similar unlawful practices. As law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on illegal activities, individuals involved in such ventures face increasing risks of detection, prosecution, and significant financial penalties.
In light of the increasing prevalence of counterfeit goods and illicit trade activities, the enforcement of strict penalties and financial repercussions against offenders like Kader plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of legal businesses and protecting consumers from harmful and unlawful products. The importance of upholding laws and regulations to safeguard public health and safety cannot be overstated, and cases such as Kader’s serve as a stark reminder of the legal consequences awaiting those who choose to flout the law for personal gain.