A dad has been branded "foolish in the extreme" after trying to smuggle more than 100,000 cigarettes through Manchester Airport.
Blenda Omar, from St Lawrence Close, Aigburth, had been taking orders from friends and family for cigarettes which he had brought in Iraq. The 41-year-old attempted to bring them through Manchester Airport, in October 2018, but was stopped after passing through "nothing to declare".
A court heard that Omar had three large shrink wrapped cases which contained 105,180 cigarettes. Prosecutor Saul Brody said no legal action was taken and he was instead handed a warning letter, with the cigarettes being seized.
READ MORE: Mum stole thousands of pounds from hospice after falling victim to romance scam
However after being "fortunate" enough to not be prosecuted, Omar then tried the same thing again just a month later, the MEN reports. Judge Sarah Johnston said: "You were fortunate not to be prosecuted on that occasion, but you were given a warning as to the consequences of your actions. You did not heed that warning."
Omar flew from Doha to Heathrow Airport, just weeks later, with his wife and daughter. He was intercepted by Border Force officers and questioned.
At first he tried to claim that he only had two bags, but he actually had further bags which had been checked in. In total Omar had five bags, which contained 154,000 cigarettes.
Over the two incidents the total amount of duty evaded came to £102,960, Mr Brody said. Graham Rishton, defending, said Omar had been "fulfilling orders" for friends and family, buying cigarettes in bulk from Iraq where the prices are "particularly low."
Mr Rishton said in attempting to do the same thing weeks later, Omar had been "foolish in the extreme." He has a wife and two young children in Iraq and wants to bring them to the UK, where he has lived for the past two decades, the court was told.
Mr Rishton said Omar had not committed any further offences since these incidents in 2018, and appealed for the judge to spare him from prison. Judge Johnston said she was satisfied that Omar, who has not committed any offences previously, had "learnt a salutary lesson".
He was handed a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after Omar, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulently evading duties.
READ NEXT: First picture of woman suspected of murder after dad stabbed to death
Much loved pub that 'fed thousands' closes leaving people 'gutted'
Ring doorbell footage captures lads making heartwarming decision
Mum caught sex offender grooming daughter after checking her phone
Mum goes to Asda every day at 6am in search of Prime energy drink
