A convenience store keeper is set to go on trial after a trading standards operation uncovered 23,000 suspected illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
According to local reports, retailer Omar Usman Akram, 56, appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court facing 10 charges relating to the find at premises on Parliament Road, Middlesbrough.
The retailer is charged with six counts of possessing goods with a false trademark for sale or hire. They included 26 packets of 20 Benson and Hedges gold cigarettes, 80 packets of 20 JPS JP Special Blue cigarettes, 138 packets of 20 Lambert & Butler Originals cigarettes and 130 packets of 20 Lambert & Butler Silver cigarettes, 204 packets of 20 Marlboro Gold cigarettes and 24 50g packets of hand rolling tobacco.
Akram, who lives at the address, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He is also charged with supplying tobacco products without health warnings, and three charges of supplying tobacco products in breach of packaging regulations.
The case was adjourned until July 7 for a trial to be held at the magistrates’ court. Akram was granted unconditional bail.
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