Blackpool trader tried to claim 74,000 of illicit cigarettes in a £28k revenue fraud were 'for his own use'

Adam Zhana Ahmed, 40, of Central Drive, Blackpool, had already been fined £300 after Trading Standards prosecuted him over illicit products found in the Central Mini Market shop in Blackpool, on February 21, 2019.

But HMRC then launched a probe into similar products found in cardboard boxes at a self storage unit Ahmed had rented out on Clifton Road on August 29.

Ahmed admitted the evasion of duty on 74,200 cigarettes and 27kg of hand rolling tobacco, amounting to £28.801.59.

Preston Crown Court heard in an interview Ahmed said tried to suggest the cigarettes had been "bought from a Romanian man for £650" and were for his personal use.

His own lawyer accepted that even with a habit of smoking 50 a day it would still amount to four years worth of cigarettes.

Tom Lord told the court he was a Kurdish national who came to the UK before the conflict in 2003, and was left the store when his father died.

He is likely to face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to assess his benefit from the crime.

Judge Beverly Lunt imposed a six month sentence, suspended for six months and added: "Don't do this. You mustn't do this.

"Do it legitimately, if you're going to run a business you have to do it legitimately.

"I'm satisfied you've learnt your lesson and this is the end of this now. Hopefully this makes you understand how very serious these offences are."

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