Shop owner sentenced for illegal tobacco and vapes in Weston-super-Mare
Naseh Mahmoodi sentenced after operation uncovers £10,000 of illicit products
A shop owner in Weston-super-Mare has been sentenced following the discovery of a significant quantity of illegal tobacco and vaping products at his premises.
Naseh Mahmoodi was convicted of offences relating to the sale and possession of illicit goods and faced sentencing at North Somerset Magistrates Court.
He received a 12-month Community Order and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Additionally, Mahmoodi is required to contribute £8,500 towards the investigation costs and pay a victim surcharge of £114.
A forfeiture order was also issued for the seized illegal items.
Investigation and Seizure
In August 2023, an operation involving North Somerset Trading Standards, Avon and Somerset Police, and the South West Regional Tobacco Specialist Officer took place at Grand Super Market on Alexandra Parade, which Mahmoodi owned at the time.
During this visit, a concealed stash of illegal tobacco and vaping products was uncovered.
The haul included 304 packets of cigarettes, 4.4 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco, and 23 illegal vapes, primarily found to be counterfeit, with the remainder failing tobacco regulations.
The seized goods were valued at approximately £10,000.
Sentencing and Community Impact
Councillor James Clayton of North Somerset Council highlighted the significance of the case: “We want our communities to be caring, healthy and safe, where people help each other to live well.
"This case underscores our determination to tackle illegal trade in tobacco and vaping products, which endangers consumers, penalises compliant businesses, and often ties to broader criminal activities.
"The sentence elucidates the courts' serious view on such offences.
"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.”
If you suspect illegal tobacco, illicit vapes, or other counterfeit goods, report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk .