Weston shop owner sentenced after £10,000 of illegal tobacco and vapes seized

Following an investigation by North Somerset Council's Trading Standards team, a Weston-super-Mare shop owner has been sentenced after being convicted of a series of offences involving the sale and possession of illegal tobacco and vaping products.

Naseh Mahmoodi appeared before North Somerset Magistrates Court for sentencing. He was given a 12-month Community Order with a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. The court also ordered him to contribute £8,500 towards the council’s investigation costs and pay a victim surcharge of £114. In addition, a forfeiture order was made for illegal tobacco and vaping products which officers seized from his premises.

Grand Supermarket on Alexandra Parade (Photo: Google)

In August 2023, North Somerset Trading Standard officers, accompanied by colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police as well as the South West Regional Tobacco Specialist Officer, carried out a visit to Grand Super Market in Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare, which was owned by Mr Mahmoodi at the time.

During the operation, officers discovered illegal tobacco and vaping products concealed on the premises. A total of 304 packets of cigarettes, 4.4 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco and 23 illegal vapes were seized.

Most of the products were found to be counterfeit, while the remainder failed to comply with tobacco regulations. The retail value of the seized goods was estimated to be around £10,000.

Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Sport and the Pride in Place programme, said: “We want our communities to be caring, healthy and safe, where people help each other to live well.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling the illegal trade in tobacco and vaping products across North Somerset, which puts consumers at risk by avoiding important safety controls, unfairly disadvantages businesses that comply with the law, and is often linked to wider criminal activity. The sentence reflects the seriousness with which the courts view these offences.

Cllr James Clayton (Photo: North Somerset Council)

“Thank you to our Trading Standards officers and partner agencies for their hard work bringing the case to court. We will continue to work together to identify those involved in the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products and will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action against those involved in harming our communities in this way.”

To report a concern about the sale of illegal tobacco, illicit vapes, or other counterfeit goods contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or use the online form or chat service at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.