Illegal tobacco trader in court
Posted on Saturday 14th May 2022
Newport City Council has successful prosecuted a former company director for offences relating illegal tobacco products.
Soran Omar was previously a director of Global 2015 Market Ltd in Commercial Road.
Following an investigation by the council’s trading standards officers, items were seized which had an equivalent retail value of nearly £6,000.
In April, Omar, of Commercial Road, pleaded guilty to offences relating to counterfeit and illicit tobacco products.
On 12 May, he was given a 12-month community order for 100 hours of unpaid work. The company was fined £5,000.
Illicit cigarettes are much easier for children to buy, as they often sell for pocket money prices with packed priced, on average, at just £5. Selling counterfeit tobacco deprives the UK of taxes to fund vital public services like the NHS.
The prosecution demonstrates a very clear message to anyone who thinks they can profit from the sale of illicit tobacco that the council will not tolerate this in Newport.
Anyone who has information about the sale of illegal tobacco to report anonymously report concerns to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.