A CAERNARFON business has been ordered to pay nearly £13,000 after selling and supplying illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.

The case, presented by Gwynedd Council, was heard at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on September 11.

The court heard that undercover officers working with the council’s trading standards unit carried out a test purchase at Supercigs Convenience Store, on Stryd y Llyn, on September 26, 2023.

This resulted in the shop selling illegal tobacco to the officer.

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A later visit to the premises on the same day resulted in a seizure by trading standards officers of 225 packets of illicit cigarettes, 63 pouches of illicit hand rolling tobacco, 519 unauthorised disposable vapes and nicotine salts, and 20 unauthorised branded PRIME squishes.

The haul resulted in five charges being brought against Supercigs Convenience Store Ltd.

Idres Khder, the sole director of the company, appeared in court on behalf of the business and pleaded guilty to all five of the charges, which were as follows:

  • Two counts of possession of goods with a false trademark for sale.
  • Carrying on the business of a company for a fraudulent purpose.
  • Supplying electronic cigarettes which did not comply with product requirements.
  • Selling goods with packaging bearing a sign identical to/likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark.

Supercigs Convenience Store Ltd was fined £9,062.20, and was also ordered to pay £1,751.48 to the Council, and a £2,000 victim surcharge, amounting to a total of £12,813.68.

The court also ordered the destruction of all the seized goods.

Cllr Dafydd Meurig, Gwynedd Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our trading standards officers work hard to ensure that the public can be confident in the goods they purchase from the county’s shops and businesses.

“This case shows that we take that responsibility seriously, and I’m pleased to see a successful trading standards prosecution in relation to the sale and supply of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.

“The sentencing reflects the seriousness of these offences. 

“Trade in illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes supports crime, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco and e-cigarettes to young people. 

“Public protection is a priority, and the council will always take enforcement action where necessary to help keep our local communities safe as well as to support local businesses that comply with the law.”