A newsagent in Harpurhey has been prosecuted after a tobacco detection dog sniffed out an illegal haul during an inspection
Through intelligence gathered by Manchester City Council's Trading Standards Team, it was suspected that Lucky News NW Ltd, in Rochdale Road, Harpurhey was selling illicit tobacco.
Officers from the Trading Standards Team visited the premises in September 2019 and proceeded to search the shop.
With the help of detection dog Dixie and her trusty nose a range of illicit products were found including loose rolling tobacco, as well as brand items such as Lambert & Butler, Richmond and Amber Leaf.
A total of 1,940 cigarettes and 250g of hand rolling tobacco were seized.
Following the seizure of these items the company’s director Mubarak Natha, 41, of Lee Avenue, Bolton, was invited for an interview with the Council, but declined to comment.
This case was brought to Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 27 where the company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Trade Mark Act 1994, and one under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations.
Magistrates ordered a fine of £1,200 per charge, as well as costs of £550 to be paid; this resulted in a total financial penalty of £4,150.
Natha was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, pay a victim surcharge of £90, and a forfeiture and destruction order was made against the seized tobacco.
Both defendants, Natha and Lucky News NW Ltd, have previously been prosecuted in November 2020 for identical offences which occurred in September 2018.
You may want to add that both defendants had previously been prosecuted in November 2020 for identical offences which occurred in September 2018.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Everything that we do as a Council is a team effort from the officers who carry out these searches, the legal team who prosecute and even our furry friend Dixie who helped discover this illicit tobacco.
“The sale of illicit tobacco is especially concerning as we know that because it is sold so cheaply it acts as either a gateway for first time smokers, or prevents people from quitting.
“There are still too many people in Manchester who get seriously ill or die from smoking related illnesses which is why through action like this we are determined to stamp out this trade.”
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.”
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