A West Sussex shop owner has been fined over £100,000 for repeatedly selling counterfeit cigarettes and illicit vapes despite multiple warnings from Trading Standards.
Trading Standards officers from West Sussex County Council have carried out multiple inspections at Baltic Bognor Ltd in Bognor Regis since 2017.
Officers uncovered counterfeit cigarettes, illegal vapes exceeding legal nicotine limits and other non-compliant products. On one occasion, counterfeit cigarettes were found hidden inside orange juice cartons in the stock room, reported West Sussex Council.
As a result of the persistent breaches, director Barzan Aubid had his alcohol licence revoked in 2022. His appeal was dismissed by Worthing Magistrates’ Court in January 2024.
On 16 January, Aubid received a 10-month suspended sentence, 65 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs after pleading guilty to trademarks, tobacco labelling and money laundering offences. His company received a £14,000 fine and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Portsmouth Crown Court concluded that Aubid had a “criminal lifestyle” and had personally benefitted from his criminal conduct to the sum of £70,421.84, while Baltic Bognor Ltd had benefitted £14,093.69, bringing the total fine to £105,422.53.
Confiscation Orders have been made for these sums and Aubid has three months to pay under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, reported West Sussex Council.
Cllr Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for community support, fire and rescue, said: “Illegal tobacco is a serious concern to public health, and taking steps to eradicate it from the county forms an important element of Our Council Plan and our priority to keep people safe.
“Counterfeit cigarettes can contain a wide range of hazardous substances and we would discourage anybody from buying any seemingly bargain-priced cheap tobacco.”
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