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Illicit cigarette seller flushed out

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An illegal town centre cigarette seller, who hid his goods in a specially built storage unit in a toilet, has been successfully prosecuted by Warrington Borough Council.

Soleman Rasul Hossein, 33, of Ilminster, Rochdale, appeared in Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday 3 March and was found guilty of number of charges under the Trade Marks Act, Consumer Protection Act and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Hossein, owner of Spizarnia on Legh Street at the time, concealed illegal cigarettes in various places in the shop, including in a unit that had been built around the toilet cistern. He also hid them under bathroom flooring and below shelving in the drinks fridge.

Officers found 10,560 illegal cigarettes at the property.

As a result, Hossein was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 2 years as well as 280 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a contribution of £3,000 towards prosecution costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for environment and public protection, said: “All tobacco is harmful, but illicit cigarettes seriously undermine our drive to reduce smoking. This is why it’s so important that residents reports any suspicions about the sale of illicit goods so we can stamp out this trade.

“I am confident we will continue to work with our partners to crackdown on these sellers and bring them to justice.”

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