WORKER WHO SOLD ‘FAKE FAGS’ WORTH £34K IS JAILED
Counterfeit cigarettes found hidden in void at city centre shop
SHOP worker Hamed Faris has been jailed after he was caught with a huge amount of counterfeit cigarettes and rolling tobacco for sale.
The 41-year-old was accused of selling or attempting to distribute Amber Leaf tobacco with a false trademark.
He also admitted possessing packets of Richmond and Mayfair cigarettes, and Golden Virginia tobacco, with false trademarks at International Convenience in Hope Street, Hanley.
Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard the retail value of the seized tobacco was more than £34,000.
Now Faris, of St Ann Walk, Hanley, has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to 11 charges relating to having counterfeit cigarettes and rolling tobacco for sale.
Jason Holt, mitigating, said Faris was an employee and not an employer, and his financial gain was restricted to his wages.
He said the defendant left Iraq in 2002 due to the war, where he had been a teacher.
Mr Holt said: “He spent nine years waiting for asylum and was unable to work during that time. He has a conviction for false documents.”
Judge Paul Glenn said: “You have relevant convictions, in particular 31 offences involving trademarks.
“You were made the subject of a community order with unpaid work. A number of those offences involved tobacco and cigarettes.
“Test purchases occurred over a number of months. Searches were conducted in January, April and May and a sizeable quantity of counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes were seized.
“The retail value of the seized tobacco was in excess of £34,000. The duty evaded was just under £21,000.
“On your account, you as an employee would not have personally profited to any extent.
“Cigarettes were hidden in a void in a hinged stair. Trademark offences undermine reputable companies.
“You were not deterred by your earlier conviction. Even after the first and second raids, restocking took place which indicates a degree of persistence.
“Purchasers were exposed to potential harm because they have no way of knowing what the so-called tobacco consisted of.
“You had your chance in 2018, and these matters are so serious only custody is appropriate.”
The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the tobacco and cigarettes.