A shopkeeper from Newcastle has been sentenced to a suspended jail term after being found guilty of selling illicit tobacco products.
Hardi Mahammad Saleh, aged 50 from Pear Tree Lane in Newcastle, sold illicit tobacco from Newcastle Mini Market on Brunswick Street. He pleaded guilty to 23 offences and was sentenced at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday 13 July.
Hidden compartment discovered
An investigation by Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards uncovered a sophisticated concealment system in his shop designed to hide illegal tobacco products. The hidden compartment featured a hydraulic lift mechanism operated by an electronic key fob.
During an operation in July 2023, officers seized 25,940 illicit cigarettes and a quantity of illicit tobacco products.
Sentence and penalties
Saleh was sentenced to six months custody, suspended for 12 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work for trademark offences. He was also given three months custody, suspended for 12 months, for other offences. He was ordered to pay costs of £2,796.
This is the second prosecution against Saleh for similar offences. On 17 January 2023, he was ordered to complete 220 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £2,245 following a previous conviction.
Reporting illegal tobacco
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco or other goods can report them online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.