Published: Thursday, 06th July 2023
Oldham Council has successfully prosecuted a Glodwick man after 19,400 illegal cigarettes were found in his home.
The tobacco was found in the cellar of Islam Arif’s property in Greengate Street on 21 March last year. He was identified as part of a police operation.
Due to this large amount of cigarettes, Arif, 28, was charged with possession to supply contrary to the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
On June 19, at Tameside Magistrates Arif pleaded guilty.
He was fined £538 and ordered to pay £500 costs plus a £52 victim surcharge.
A destruction order for the tobacco seized was also granted.
Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “We are working with partners across Greater Manchester to drive down the illegal tobacco trade and the market is declining, but it is still a burden on our communities.
“If you know where cheap tobacco is being sold, often as ‘duty free’, please get in touch.
“We will take action wherever and whenever we find illegal tobacco for sale.”
Andrea Crossfield, Making Smoking History Lead at the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Illegal tobacco might seem like a bargain, but it comes at a high price to our kids and our communities.
“Legal or illegal, all tobacco contains a toxic cocktail of chemicals which will kill one in two long term smokers. Illegal cigarettes are often responsible for getting children started on this lethal addiction, because of their availability at pocket money prices and because dealers don’t care who they sell to.
“The crackdown on illegal tobacco is part of wider efforts to cut smoking rates and make smoking history for future generations.”
The sale of illegal tobacco can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at keep-it-out.co.uk