A shopkeeper in Swansea has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for selling counterfeit cigarettes in his store. Yarech Kader, aged 46, was making approximately £300 daily by selling fake brands like Lambert & Butler, Marlboro, and Benson & Hedges. Kader had repeatedly failed to appear at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing and was eventually arrested in the English East Midlands.
Prosecutors stated that undercover officers from Swansea Council’s trading standards department visited the Asia Market store in Swansea and were offered counterfeit tobacco products. Subsequent inspections revealed a stash of counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco hidden at the store. The confiscated products did not comply with UK regulations regarding packaging and health warnings.
Kader, who had a history of convictions related to illegal tobacco, admitted to selling counterfeit tobacco for about six weeks, making significant profits each day. Despite the charges against him, Kader opted not to attend court or seek legal representation.
After a prolonged legal process and multiple adjournments due to Kader’s non-attendance or lack of representation, he was sentenced in absentia by Judge Huw Rees. The judge noted Kader’s deliberate attempts to evade justice and sentenced him to two years in prison for the counterfeit tobacco offences. Additionally, Kader received three months for a Bail Act offence, resulting in a total sentence of two years and three months.
The defendant will serve a portion of the sentence in custody before being released on licence. The case highlights the serious consequences of dealing in counterfeit goods and the need for compliance with trading regulations to protect consumers and uphold the law.