Men sentenced after fake fags swoop in Ashfield

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team made five visits to Outram Stores General Store, in Outram Street, between April and July earlier this year seizing around 2,980 cigarettes (149 packets) and 1.9kg HRT (38 pouches).

Mny of the cigarettes were counterfeit and some were classed as dangerous as they would not self-extinguish.

Three men who worked at the shop admitted being involved in the illicit supply of tobacco and cigarettes at Outram Stores, and were sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that on numerous occasions Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards officers had found cigarettes which were counterfeit and others which would breach health and safety regulations in various concealed places around the shop.

Magistrates were told on one occasion on 22 June officers attended the premises and Hussain ii was arrested after he tried to put cigarettes down his trousers.

Cigarettes were also found in the till.

Sorin Hussainii, 23, from Outram Street, was charged with two counts of failing to comply with safety regulations for cigarettes, four charges of possessing goods with a false trade mark for sale, and three of supplying cigarettes which could were classed as dangerous products.

He was sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work, with £800 costs, a £180 court charge, and a £60 victim surcharge.

Sardar Rassul, 30, from Outram Street, was charged with two counts of possessing for supply cigarettes which were dangerous products and two counts of possessing goods with a false trademark for sale. He was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid work, £200 costs and a £180 court and a £60 victim surcharge.

Gankao Kheder, 29, from Padley Hill, Mansfield, was charged with two offences of possessing goods with a false trade mark for sale, and one of supplying cigarettes classed as dangerous products. He was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid work, and has to pay £200 costs and a £180 court charge, as well as a £60 victim surcharge.