Counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes found at Boscombe convenience store

Said Gul Sheikhani, 47, was prosecuted by BCP Council’s trading standards service following the discovery of counterfeit products at 7 Days International Supermarket in Boscombe.

Trading standards visited the shop at 575 Christchurch Road during November 2021, having been asked by Dorset Police to attend a warrant.

Police believed illegal tobacco was being sold and stored at the premises.

A large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco were found at the shop, and officers discovered a hidden chute in the bathroom at the rear of the shop which was connected to the flat above.

The chute was 'concealed behind a hinged mirror with a tiled door', as described by BCP Council.

A total of 10,260 cigarettes and 15.2 kg of hand rolling tobacco were seized from the shop.

575 Christchurch Road where the shop used to be (Image: NQ)

Samples of Golden Virginia, Lambert & Butler, Richmond King Size, Amber Leaf, B&H silver, B&H Sovereign, Marlboro, Marlboro Gold tobacco were sent to trademark holder’s representatives and were all found to be counterfeit.

Sheikhani, of St Clements Gardens, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on June 12, having pleaded guilty to charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

He received a six month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay costs of £1000 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Magistrates ordered that all the seized cigarettes and tobacco be destroyed by BCP Council.

The defendant was also warned that if he is found with illicit tobacco in the next 18 months, he will be called to carry out his prison sentence.

A significant amount of cash, £13,970, was also found at 7 Days International Supermarket during the warrant, and a forfeiture hearing for this is due to take place on September 10.

The company 7 Days Mini Market Limited has since ceased trading but Sheikhani has opened a new shop in Bournemouth, according to BCP Council.

The authority declined to name the new business when questioned by the Echo.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The sale of illegal tobacco harms local businesses, and it is estimated that for every 50g of tobacco illegally sold approximately £13 is lost to the treasury which has a massive impact on things like NHS funding.

"The illegal tobacco trade brings crime into our communities as it is often part of organised criminal activity and is linked to a range of other illegal trades including people-trafficking, drug smuggling, exploitation, illegal immigrants and money laundering.

"We hope this prosecution is a warning to others who are selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco that we do take action."