A shop owner in Braintree has confessed to selling fake tobacco, facing serious legal consequences after an investigation by Trading Standards.
He faced eight charges for selling counterfeit tobacco. The court didn’t take it lightly. Abdulqader got an 18-month community order and a hefty fine. He’ll also have to stick to a curfew.
Trading Standards had been tipped off by locals. They raided his shop back in January 2021. A special detection dog helped find hidden counterfeit products in a secret compartment.
Even after the raid, he kept selling the fake stuff. Officers made test purchases, and they found thousands of counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.
The judge was pretty clear about it. He said Abdulqader’s actions showed greed and a total disregard for the law. This kind of illegal trade harms communities and honest businesses.
Local officials are sending a strong message. They’re determined to crack down on sellers of illicit tobacco. It’s not just about the law; it’s about protecting public health and safety.
