A Salford-based tobacco trader has had his gantry removed by Imperial following discovery of violations of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and he will no longer receive any sales support from Imperial Tobacco.
Mr Brooks, of Pendlebury News, Bolton Road was convicted by magistrates for possession of counterfeit tobacco. A raid by local Trading Standards resulted in Mr Brook’s beingordered to pay total costs of £3,449.60.
James Hall, Anti-Illicit Trade Manager, Imperial Tobacco UK, comments: “We are fully supportive of law enforcement agencies in their endeavour to demonstrate that illicit tobacco trade will not be tolerated. It is disruptive to both retailers and its wider community.”
“We applaud Salford Trading Standards for securing this particular conviction, whilst also recognising the wider success Trading Standards authorities are achieving across the UK in the ongoing fight against illegal tobacco.”
Imperial continues to assist in the reporting and investigation of these reprehensible activities wherever possible. Hall explains: “Our dedicated anti-illicit trade app, SARA, launched in January 2018, has now received over 2100 reports of potential illegal trade activity which we have shared with law enforcement. We are aware that seizures have been made in premises reported in 176 of these and 126 social media posts have also been removed.”
“With 82% of those surveyed in the recent TMA AIT Report saying they are aware of illicit tobacco being sold in the last 12 months but have not reported it, we urge everyone to contact appropriate authorities with concerns of illegal tobacco activity in their locality or speak to their Imperial rep about SARA or phone us directly on 0800-0495992.”
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