Dubai Shop employee Farzad Ali Karimy, 28 and of Temple Street in Oxford and owner Yasin Mohammed, 43 and of Mulgrove Street in Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at court on Friday, October 2.
Smuggled and fake cigarettes and non-compliant nicotine pouches were discovered at the 24/7 Dubai Shop on Cowley Road during an inspection by Trading Standards on September 28 last year.
What was found during the investigation a Dubai Shop (Image: OCC)
The inspection followed an undercover purchase of a packet of smuggled Marlboro Gold cigarettes for £8.
Trading Standards officers discovered a quantity of illicit tobacco products in a black bin liner concealed behind the counter and non-compliant nicotine pouches displayed on the shelving.
In total, officers seized 112 packs of cigarettes, three packs of hand-rolling tobacco, four packs of waterpipe tobacco and more than 100 packs of nicotine pouches.
Subsequent examination confirmed a number of the tobacco products were also counterfeit, including Richmond and Lambert & Butler branded cigarettes and Amber Leaf hand rolling tobacco.
The investigation also established that excise duty of £1,218.85 had been evaded.
In court, Ali Karimy pleaded guilty to all offences. He was ordered to pay nearly £900 in fines and costs.
What was found during the investigation a Dubai Shop (Image: OCC)
What was found during the investigation a Dubai Shop (Image: OCC)
Mohammed also pleaded guilty to all offences. Sentencing was adjourned and he will appear at court again on November 27.
The court also heard that Mohammed had previously been subject to enforcement action elsewhere in relation to tobacco offences, including the seizure of 18,000 illegal cigarettes from his shop in Bangor in December 2022.
Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards operations manager, said: “Illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime.
“The illicit market fuels wider criminality, makes tobacco products more accessible and affordable to children, and undermines efforts to reduce smoking-related harm.
“We will continue to respond to intelligence from the public and work with partner agencies to target those who seek to profit from the illegal tobacco trade.”
Kate Gregory, cabinet member for public health and inequalities at the county council, added: “The sale of illegal tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, deprives the public purse of vital revenue and can expose consumers to products that have not been subject to the safeguards required by UK law.
“This prosecution sends a clear message that Oxfordshire County Council will continue to take robust action against businesses and individuals involved in the illegal tobacco trade.”
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco, nicotine or related products can report it anonymously by calling 0300 999 6 999 or by visiting www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk
Dubai Shop continues to trade under different ownership.
Last summer, Khalifa Super Store also on Cowley Road was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, victim surcharge of £400, and a contribution towards costs of £600 for illegal tobacco and nicotine product offences.
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