Facebook cigarette seller given community service

A Peterborough man has been ordered to carry out community service after being caught selling illicit cigarettes on Facebook.

Karwan Salim Ahamed (29) of Loire Court, Peterborough, had been using fake Facebook profiles to sell counterfeit and illegal cigarettes, mainly on the groups around Lincolnshire, including in Spalding, Boston and Sleaford.

He was caught following an investigation by Lincolnshire Trading Standards - and while he denied the offences, he was convicted after a trial at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court.

Ahamed was given a 12 month community order to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 costs within 28 days.

Joanne Hocking, senior trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, commented: “We, along with our colleagues across the country, are continually monitoring social media sites and will take appropriate action against anyone that offers such items for sale.

Brands such as NZ Gold and Minsk do not meet the standardised packing requirements as they are usually labelled in a foreign language and do not carry the compulsory health warnings.

“Additionally, they fail the ignition propensity test which means they do not self-extinguish if left unattended. These brands aren’t made in conventional ways, have no checks or quality standards.

“If you see such brands for sale you can report this to us via Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506 or to Crimestoppers.”

Cigarettes Ahamed was selling