An organised crime group in Dudley who sold illegal tobacco have been jailed for over 12 years combined, following a case brought by Dudley Council’s Trading Standards.
The leader of the group of five Sywash Mashkhaty was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on June 27, alongside Zanko Fars Ismael, who was second in command, and Seyed Taklimi.
The three all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess goods bearing a sign identical to a registered trademark and conspiracy to possess criminal property in July 2024.
The group were found be in possession of counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and tobacco products between August 2016 to December 2018 at 202 Dudley High Street shop premises called European Food Express.
The defendants were found to be selling and possessing counterfeit, and illicit tobacco products on multiple occasions, with boxes of cigarettes being sold for less than £3.
Some of the illicit cigarettes seized in the case could not be classified as being counterfeit, as they represented bogus brands that are produced and smuggled into the UK by organised crime gangs.
During multiple inspections carried out by trading standards, the gang members were physically working in the store with counterfeit and illicit tobacco products hidden in drawers and sacks.
During one visit officers seized a CCTV hard drive, which was found in a ceiling void. When footage was examined, it showed how the gang had been involved in preparing and digging a concrete floor behind the counter, to create a secret compartment.
During a later search more than 7,000 illicit and counterfeit cigarettes, for which duty had not been paid, were seized from it.
During another search, officers found a secret electromagnetic operated compartment, this time behind a wall.
When opened and searched, officers found and seized 399 packets of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco. Products were also seized from the rear of the store, where they were concealed behind ceiling tiles, including more than 13,000 cigarettes plus 39 packets of hand rolling tobacco.
In one interview under caution with a gang member, it was disclosed that European Food Express sold around £500 worth of illegal tobacco a day. The estimated value of the counterfeit cigarettes for the duration of the conspiracy is nearly £700,000.
Sywash Mashkhaty was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs plus victim surcharge.
Zanko Fars Ismael was sentenced to 44 months plus victim surcharge and Seyed Taklimi was sentenced to 25 months imprisonment plus victim surcharge.
At an earlier hearing on 15 January 2025, Najibullah Azakzai was sentenced to 34 months imprisonment plus a victim surcharge. Mr Sarwat Raouf was also sentenced, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal property. He received 98 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, 150 hours unpaid work, a victim Surcharge and £2,000 of costs.
Councillor Phil Atkins, cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:
“I welcome these sentences, which send out a clear warning to other traders and organised crime groups who are selling illegal goods.
“HHJ Hughes thanked Dudley trading standards for their work on the case during the court proceedings and I would like to add my personal thanks to our incredible team.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the public is protected and legitimate businesses are safeguarded, taking legal proceedings wherever necessary.”