A convenience store could be stripped of its alcohol licence after being caught selling illegal tobacco for the sixth time in just over three years. Trading standards bosses found 400 Richmond cigarettes hidden in empty cereal boxes at Heaton Off Licence, in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, during a raid with a tobacco detection dog.
A sample of the cigarettes was sent for examination which confirmed they were counterfeit. The packaging also failed to comply with regulations which state the colour must be ‘drab dark brown with a matt finish’.
The search, in May this year, came after the Manchester Road shop sold a packet of ‘non-compliant Richmond cigarettes’ during a ‘test purchase' the previous month. On this occasion an independent surveillance company was sold cigarettes in non-compliant packaging. These were also suspected to be counterfeit.
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Illicit tobacco has been seized from the off-licence on four other occasions, dating back to May 2019. Trading standards bosses have now ordered a review of the premises licence, which will be heard by a town hall panel on Monday night (October 24). The shop's licence is for the sale of alcohol, but reviews can be called in connection with crime that is not directly connected with licensable activities - for example drugs, money laundering and the sale of stolen goods.
The licence is held by Malik Aftab Hussain, whom trading standards bosses say is failing to meet his responsibilities around the prevention of crime and disorder and protecting children from harm. A report to a council licensing committee reads: “It is our opinion that Malik Aftab Hussain, in the position of Premises Licence Holder, has no intention of complying with the law, and will continue, as evidence has shown, to break the law and put profit before people’s health.
“He has displayed a clear lack of responsibility to uphold the licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.” The report also claims Mr Hussain has shown a ‘flagrant disregard’ for the law and asks the panel to consider revoking the premises licence.
“The cigarettes seized by Stockport Trading Standards on the 17th May 2022 were deliberately hidden in cereal boxes, which suggests knowledge that the items were illegal,” it adds. The committee also has a number of other options, including suspending the licence for up to three months and removing the designated premises supervisor (Mr Hussain).
Illicit tobacco has also been seized from Heaton Off Licence on the following occasions:
August 23, 2021 . A test purchase exercise was undertaken where an independent surveillance company was sold a pack of illicit cigarettes for £7. The cigarettes were in non-standardised packaging
February 6 2021 . Trading Standards visited and 560 cigarettes and 45g of hand rolling tobacco were seized. The illicit tobacco was hidden behind the counter and shop front display.
March 5, 2020 . A test purchase exercise was undertaken by a brand representative who was sold a pack of illicit cigarettes for £6 and a pack of illicit hand rolling tobacco for £10. Both products were confirmed as counterfeit.
May 20, 2019 . Trading standards and licensing officers visited and seized a quantity of illicit tobacco that had been hidden above ceiling tiles. The tobacco consisted of 700 cigarettes and 250g of hand rolling tobacco. The Premises Licence Holder, Mr Malik Aftab Hussain, was present during this visit.
Licensing guidance says there is certain criminal activity that may arise in connection with licensed premises, which should be treated particularly seriously - including the sale or storage of smuggled tobacco and alcohol. It adds that selling and supplying illicit cigarettes and tobacco is not only a serious crime but robs the public purse, blunts the effectiveness of tax incentives to reduce smoking. and is linked to organised crime.
It continues: “Those involved are more likely to extend their criminality into selling illicit tobacco to minors, which is also an offence and causes serious harm to children.” Stockport council’s licensing, environment and safety sub-committee B meets at the town hall from 6pm on Monday (October 24).
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