The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
SHOPKEEPER FINED OVER DODGY CIGS
Thousands of illegal cigarettes found at Peterborough shop
A shopkeeper who was caught selling thousands of potentially dangerous cigarettes has been ordered to pay nearly £2,000 by a court - and had his licence taken away.
Idris Kurda, who runs the Europe Plus shop in Mayor’s Walk, sold the cigarettes to increase his profits.
But Iraqi national Kurda sold the illegal cigarettes to test purchase officers working for Trading Standards in June last year - and a couple of weeks later a warrant was executed at the store, where 4,500 cigarettes and 100g of rolling tobacco was seized.
On Tuesday at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, Kudra pleaded guilty to nine offences.He was fined £1,100 and ordered to pay costs of £785.27 and a £110 victim surcharge.
Peterborough City Council confirmed Kurda had lost his licence to sell alcohol.
Colin Miles, prosecuting for Peterborough City Council, told the court: “Some of the cigarettes failed the Reduced Ignition Propensity (RIP) Test, which means if cigarettes are not actively being smoked, they don’t self extinguish, which is a fire risk.
“The rolling tobacco was found to be counterfeit, which affects revenue, the firm itself and customers as they do not know what is in the product.”
In interview Kurda (43) of Deene Court, Peterborough, admitted selling the goods.
Mr Miles said: “He told officers the shop makes about £400-£500 a day - nearly half of that was through illicit sales.”
Angela Holland, defending, said: “He has a wife and four children. He worked hard in shops, factories and a car wash to save money to open the shop. He didn’t have the money to stock the shop with alcohol after getting an alcohol licence.
“A friend said they would bring back cigarettes from Poland for his and his wife’s personal use - they both smoke - but he decided to sell them in the shop to get ahead with the money.”
Peter Gell, head of regulatory services at Peterborough City Council, said: “I hope this latest successful prosecution will act as a warning to other traders selling counterfeit goods in our city that we will do everything in our power to protect the safety and rights of our residents.”