Pensioner Fined for Selling Illicit Tobacco at Hemswell Market
A 74-year-old man has been fined thousands after being found guilty of selling illegal tobacco products at a car boot sale in Lincolnshire. Nader Kohanzad was identified by officers at the Hemswell Market on December 19, 2021, selling counterfeit and banned cigarettes together with incorrectly labelled tobacco.
Neil Bartlett, a trading standards officer, indicated that "Nader Kohanzad was brazen about his illicit tobacco selling. Incredibly, next to his stall at the market there were hand-written signs highlighting the savings customers could make versus buying from shops."
During the routine patrol, a staggering 2,540 cigarettes and 6.4kg of hand-rolling tobacco were confiscated. Upon his discovery, the case was transferred to Lincolnshire Trading Standards given Kohanzad's history of convictions, including a previous trademark offence.
Convictions and Fines
Neil Bartlett further explained, "Kohanzad has used at least nine different aliases to try and hide his offending and has multiple previous convictions, including a previous trademark offence." The pensioner, who lives in Sheffield, declined three voluntary interviews before his court appearance.
He pleaded guilty at Boston Magistrates Court on September 11, 2023, to offences relating to illicit tobacco, trademark infringement, and criminal possession. The court imposed a fine of £200, a £34 victim surcharge, and Kohanzad was also ordered to contribute £2,000 to costs, bringing the total to £2,234. A forfeiture order was also implemented by the court, ensuring the seized products would be destroyed.
Continued Efforts Against Illicit Activity
Lincolnshire Police's community beat manager for Welton and Hemswell, PC Stephen Toyn, emphasized, "We continue to work with Trading Standards to prevent the sale and circulation of illicit tobacco in our community. Illicit and counterfeit goods do not meet safety standards and can put lives at risk, so I am glad we were able to prevent further sales from being made."