Peterborough c-store licence revoked over illicit cigarettes trade

A Peterborough shop owner has had his licence to sell alcohol revoked after a large number of illicit cigarettes were found there.

Hevar Zrari, the owner of Lara (International Drinks), based in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, was visited by HMRC officers earlier this year who found over 4,500 illegal cigarettes hidden at the premises, Peterborough City Council stated on Monday (15).

Following the discovery, Peterborough City Council’s Licensing Committee was instructed to review the store’s premises licence by Cambridgeshire Police and a hearing took place at Peterborough Town Hall on August 11.

The committee heard that on April 28 officers seized 4,540 mixed branded cigarettes from the store, which were non UK duty paid. The cigarettes did not have the legally required warnings in English.

Zrari claimed that he had been on holiday at the time and his father and an unnamed individual were left in charge of the store.

However, the committee deemed that his claims were ‘lacking credibility’ and revoked the store’s premises licence due to the serious nature of the crime and the number of cigarettes seized. The licence allows the business to operate as an off licence and sell alcohol.

Councillor Steve Allen, Cabinet Member for Communication, Culture and Communities, said “We take the sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco extremely seriously as our utmost priority is to protect the public. Illegal cigarettes and tobacco pose serious health risks because the ingredients are not regulated properly, and in cases where duty hasn’t been paid, legitimate businesses will be out of pocket.

“I hope this case will act as a deterrent to other traders selling counterfeit goods in our city that we will do everything in our power to protect the safety and rights of our residents.”