Counterfeit tobacco seller jailed after trading standards swoop

COUNTERFEITERS have been warned there is no hiding place in Swansea after another of their number was caught selling illicit tobacco in the city.

Ian Evans was jailed for 4 ½ months after trading standards officers and police swooped on his home in Gethin Close, Gendros, after learning he was selling counterfeit tobacco from his home.

Evans had even created business cards advertising Golden Virginia and Amberleaf tobacco for sale. Those who bought the goods from him thought they were purchased abroad when, in fact, the tobacco had been illegally manufactured.

Mark Child, Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said: “Our trading standards officers will not hesitate to secure arrests and convictions of people selling counterfeit tobacco.

“Smoking is harmful to health even when tobacco is bought legally over the counter. But there is no way of knowing what dangerous chemicals and substances there is in counterfeit tobacco. That’s why the council, alongside the police, work hard to clamp-down on people like Evans.

“Selling counterfeit tobacco is not a victimless crime. I’d urge smokers to give up the habit but, if they can’t, then please don’t buy tobacco you suspect might be counterfeit. Report it to Trading Standards instead because we want there to be no hiding place for counterfeiters in Swansea.”

Evans, aged 43, appeared before Swansea Magistrates on 25 August and pleaded guilty to six offences relating to the illegal sale of counterfeit tobacco under the Trades Mark Act, 1994, the Consumer Protection Act 1987,The Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and sale)(safety) Regulations 2002 and running a fraudulent business under The Fraud Act 2006.

He was sentenced to a total of 18 weeks in prison. He was ordered to pay £300 towards legal costs, £80 victim surcharge and £180 court fees making a total of £560.

Magistrates were told that when they raided his home, trading standards officers and police found business cards advertising Evans’ activities as ‘The Tobacco Man’.

Items seized included 25 packs of 50g Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco, 175 packs of 50g of Amber Leaf hand rolling tobacco and 11 boxes of Regal cigarettes, all of which proved to be counterfeit.

Evans’ case brings to four the number of people convicted of selling counterfeit tobacco in Swansea as part of ongoing, intelligence-led operations against criminals attempting to supply these goods in the city.

In February this year a major trading standards investigation led to the seizure of counterfeit tobacco worth well in excess of £100,000.

To report counterfeiting criminal activity in Swansea call the trading standards team on 01792 635600. You can provide any information anonymously.