Two men have been imprisoned after significant quantities of illicit tobacco, cigarettes and illegal vapes were discovered in a concealed storage area in a high street shop.
Tashin Mokhtar and Arish Mohammedi pleaded guilty to several offences at Newport Crown Court on Friday, including carrying on a fraudulent business.
The court heard Trading Standards officers received information in March 2023 that the Pontypool Shop was selling illegal tobacco and disposable vapes which did not meet UK safety standards.
Initial test purchases confirmed the sale of counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco and subsequent inspections found further illegal cigarettes and counterfeit tobacco, and non-compliant disposable vapes.
A search was carried out at the premises in Commercial Street in Pontypool as part of Operation CeCe, during which significant quantities of illicit tobacco, cigarettes and illegal vapes were found hidden in a concealed storage area behind an unused fridge unit.
Further illegal products were later recovered from a vehicle linked to the business.
Tahsin Mokhtar, from Cardiff, was sentenced to a total of 28 months imprisonment for carrying on a fraudulent business contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and for breaching a Closure Order issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Arish Mohammedi, from Cardiff, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for carrying on a fraudulent business.
A forfeiture and destruction order for the illegal products was also made.
Daniel Morelli, Joint Assistant Director Public Protection and Environment, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is not a victimless crime, as it undermines legitimate businesses, poses risks to public health and often funds wider criminal activity.
"This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to taking robust action against those who break the law and seek to profit from unlawful trading practices.
“Illegal tobacco and vapes have been found to contain a range of substances, which can be harmful to health. The stern penalties imposed demonstrate that the Courts take these offences seriously.”
Anyone with information about counterfeit goods, can contact the Council’s Trading Standards team on 01633 647623 or email trading.standards@torfaen.gov.uk
Notes to editor
Operation CeCe is a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and launched in January 2021 to tackle the illicit tobacco trade across the UK.