Walsall trader fined in court for selling illegal tobacco

An ex-supermarket boss, who was evading police for a long time after he was caught with more than 6,000 illegal cigarettes and 1kg of hand-rolling tobacco, has been finally sentenced by court, stated Walsall Council on Wednesday (12).

A huge haul of illegal cigarettes were found at APO Pleck Supermarket Ltd in Walsall during a routine advisory visit by Trading Standards officers in August 2018.

 Ramen Amini, who was the director of the place, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (10) following the issuing of two warrants for his arrest as he previously failed to attend the court. He pleaded guilty to all 12 counts under The Trade Marks Act and was fined £120, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 as well as a contribution to legal costs of £500.

According to the council officers, Amini was spotted throwing items under a counter at his Black Country shop when Walsall trading standards officers arrived to search the store for illegal products.

The officers soon discovered that what he was trying to hide was actually the packets of illegal tobacco as officers were entering Walsall’s APO Pleck Supermarket Ltd.

A further search of the premises revealed a box and black bin liner containing large quantities of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. They recovered a mixture of counterfeit, non-duty paid or illicit cheap white cigarettes which were incorrectly packaged and did not carry the correct UK health warnings.

Councillor Garry Perry, deputy leader for resilient communities said: “This investigation clearly demonstrates the persistence and continued efforts our Trading standards Team in partnership with WM Police go to to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators involved in illegal trade.”

“The illegal tobacco trade is often led by organised crime groups and therefore this haul has meant that illicit items are taken out of circulation resulting in a real impact on the wider illegal trade network.”