Raid on Caernarfon store uncovers 827 illicit items on sale

Super Cigs convenience store on Stryd y Llyn, Caernarfon
-Credit: (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd)


A convenience store in Gwynedd has been ordered to pay nearly £13,000 of fines and costs for selling illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes. A total of 827 products were found during a raid on Super Cigs on Stryd y Llyn, Caernarfon.

A case against the business brought by Cyngor Gwynedd was heard by Caernarfon magistrates on Wednesday, September 11. The court was told that, a year earlier, an illegal tobacco product was sold to undercover officers working with the council’s Trading Standards Unit. They had carried out a test purchase at the store on September 26, 2023.

A later visit to the premises on the same day resulted in a seizure of 225 packets of illicit cigarettes, 63 pouches of illicit hand rolling tobacco, and 519 unauthorised disposable vapes and nicotine salts. A further 20 unauthorised branded Prime squishy toys were also found.

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The haul resulted in five charges being brought against Super Cigs. Idres Khder, the company’s sole director, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to all five of the charges. Three of these were made under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

One charge was brought of fraudulent trading under the Companies Act 2006. A further charge was made under the Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products Regulations 2019.

Caernarfon Magistrates fined Super Cigs Convenience Store Ltd a total of £9,062.20. The business was also ordered to pay costs of £1,751.48 to the council, and a £2,000 victim surcharge, amounting to a total of £12,813.68. The court also ordered the destruction of all the seized goods.

Cllr Dafydd Meurig, Cyngor Gwynedd’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our Trading Standards officers work hard to ensure that the public can be confident in the goods they purchase from the county’s shops and businesses. This case shows that we take that responsibility seriously." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community.

Some of the 827 illicit tobacco and e-cigs seized at the store
Some of the 827 illicit tobacco and e-cigs seized at the store -Credit:Cyngor Gwynedd

Cllr Meurig continued: “I’m pleased to see a successful trading standards prosecution in relation to the sale and supply of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes. The sentencing reflects the seriousness of these offences.

“Trade in illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes supports crime, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco and e-cigarettes to young people. Public protection is a priority, and the council will always take enforcement action where necessary to help keep our local communities safe as well as to support local businesses that comply with the law.”

Anyone who has information about the sale of illicit goods in Gwynedd is urged to contact Cyngor Gwynedd’s Trading Standards team. Concerns can be reported in confidence by e-mailing safmas@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or by telephone on 01766 771000. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday

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