Case reveals financial rewards of fake tobacco

The financial rewards that can follow if unscrupulous shopkeepers trade in counterfeit cigarettes are exemplified by a recent case in the UK.

A corner shop in Llanelli, Wales – run by Shoresh Mhmood (35) and Aran Baker (48) – is estimated to have generated around £1m ($1.27m) selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products to the local population, bringing in hundreds or even thousands of pounds from the illicit products every day.

More than 100,000 cigarettes and eight kilos of tobacco were seized during the investigation into the store and its bosses as well as tens of thousands of pounds in cash, according to a WalesOnline report.

Court documents suggest that the shop – Groszek Convenience Store – was set up to primarily sell counterfeit tobacco products including knock-offs of big brands like Mayfair and Amber Leaf. The average takings from the shop were £1,200, according to prosecutors, who calculate that over the 817-day period covered by the indictment that would have resulted in estimated takings of almost a million pounds.

During an investigation, Welsh police seized 89,000 fake cigarettes from the home of Baker and another 9,500 cigarettes along with 170 pouches of loose tobacco were found at Mhmood's place.

The average takings from the shop were £1,200, according to prosecutors, who calculate that over the 817-day period covered by the indictment that would have resulted in estimated takings of almost a million pounds.

Baker was sentenced to 52 months in prison and Mhmood to 41 months in prison, with one-quarter term discounts for pleading guilty.

Photo by Branimir Balogović on Unsplash