Shopkeeper’s 10,000 fake cigarettes
A shop keeper has admitted possession of more than 10,000 counterfeit cigarettes found at his home.
Tajinder Singh, who runs Washington Wine and Convenience, in Usworth, claims that despite their low price, he believed the cigarettes were legitimate.
The 37-year-old married father-of-two was visited his home in Rickleton by immigration officers last spring, South Tyneside magistrates heard.
Prosecutor Glenda Beck said that on May 22, last year, a multi-agency operation into immigration matters was carried out, involving Northumbria Police, UK Border Force immigration officers, Trading Standards and HM Customs.
Singh’s home in Hargill Drive, Washington, was visited and a quantity of cigarettes were found in the garage.
Ms Beck said: “Cigarettes were also found at the convenience store Washington Wines At 102 The Drive, Washington.”
The court heard HMRC officers attended and seized 9,400 Lambert & Butlerbranded cigarettes, which were counterfeit.
Some were in the newstyle plain packaging and some were in older branded packaging.
All bore the UK duty paid fiscal mark, the court was told.
Ms Beck said: “The defendant is the proprietor of Washington Wines.
“HMRC attended these premises and found a quality of counterfeit Lambert & Butler cigarettes on sale among legitimate Lambert & Butler cigarettes.
“All of the cigarettes displayed on sale were seized.”
Of the 900 cigarettes seized from the shop, 640 were confirmed counterfeit. All were in plain packaging.
The court heard a total of 10,040 counterfeit cigarettes were seized from Singh, resulting in £2,861.85 in evaded duty.
The court heard officers met with Singh’s external accountant and found he was not aware of the invoices issued by Go Go Beers, the supplier of the fake cigarettes.
Singh pleaded guilty to fraudulently evading duty on goods.
Jason Smith, defending, said: “Mr Singh is actually strangely enough the victim. He’s been taken advantage of by what seem to be fraudsters.
Singh was fined £640 and was told to pay £85 costs and a £64 surcharge.
An HMRC spokesman said: “Singh thought it was acceptable to sell counterfeit cigarettes over the counter to line his pockets with taxpayer’s money.”