A Sheffield shop owner narrowly avoided jail time after being caught selling counterfeit tobacco and oversized vapes on multiple occasions. Following multiple inspections and raids conducted by the Sheffield City Council’s Trading Standards Department and South Yorkshire Police, authorities seized over 1,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, 265 packs of hand-rolled tobacco, and 132 illegal vapes.
Key Points:
- Defendant: Barzen Mahmood-Poor, a 32-year-old man and owner of Manor Mini-Market.
- Sentence: Six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months; 180 hours of unpaid community service.
- Charges: Ten counts, including supplying counterfeit tobacco, violating packaging and health warning regulations, and selling oversized vapes.
- Seized items: Over 1,000 packs of cigarettes, 265 packs of hand-rolled tobacco, and 132 illegal vapes were seized from the store, a nearby barbershop, and the defendant’s residence.
- Investigation details: Multiple undercover purchases in September 2023, March 2024, and June 2024 confirmed repeated illegal sales.
- Official stance: Sheffield City Council emphasizes the need to protect children and commits to continuing efforts to combat the harms of tobacco and vapes.
- Public action: Residents can report illegal stores through the City Council’s Trading Standards website or by calling the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
- Background: The UK has banned disposable vapes to reduce their appeal to teenagers and minimize environmental harm.
UK Sheffield supermarket owner given suspended sentence for selling illegal tobacco and vapes
According to a report by thestar.co.uk on August 21. The owner of a Sheffield mini-market was sentenced to probation for repeatedly selling counterfeit tobacco and oversized vapes, avoiding immediate imprisonment.
Barzen Mahmood-Poor, 32, of City Road, Sheffield. He operates Manor Mini-Market and pleaded guilty to 10 charges at Sheffield Crown Court. Including supplying counterfeit tobacco products, violating packaging and health warning regulations, and selling disposable vapes exceeding the UK’s 2ml capacity limit.
The Sheffield City Council Trading Standards Department initiated the case. During a series of undercover purchases between September 2023 and June 2024, enforcement officers successfully purchased illegal tobacco and vapes from the store.
September 2023, March 2024, and June 2024 confirmed repeated illegal sales
In October 2023, during a joint raid by Trading Standards officers and South Yorkshire Police, enforcement officers discovered large quantities of illegal traditional tobacco in the store’s back warehouse, under the counter, and in bags outside the rear door of the shop. Additional unlawful products were found at the adjacent Alan’s Barbers hair salon and at Mahmood-Pull’s residence. Police seized a large quantity of illegal cigarettes, vapes, and a significant amount of cash.
In total, enforcement authorities seized 265 packs of hand-rolled tobacco, 132 illegal vapes, and over 1,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes. During a follow-up inspection in March 2024, enforcement officers again discovered oversized vapes behind the counter.
The court sentenced Mahmoud-Pull to six months’ imprisonment. Suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community service.
City Council’s Trading Standards website or by calling the Citizens’ Advice Bureau
Joe Otten, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Environment Services and Regulatory Policy Committee, welcomed the ruling:
- “Traders who repeatedly break the law and cause harm must be held accountable for their actions. We do not want the public, especially children, to be at risk. We will continue to work to protect the next generation from the harms of tobacco and those who use vapes as a means of harm.”
Members of the public who discover stores selling illegal tobacco or vapes, especially to children. Can report such incidents directly through the Sheffield City Council Trading Standards website or by calling the Citizens Advice Bureau hotline at 0808 223 1133.
This case comes as the UK government has implemented a ban on disposable vapes, aimed at reducing youth usage rates and minimizing environmental pollution.
