Company directors of a deli in Devizes have pleaded guilty to a variety of offences, having been found in possession of illegal tobacco and alcohol.
On Monday 15th January 2018 at Swindon Magistrates Court, The Lime Polish Deli Ltd and directors Iszabela Olszowska and Tomasz Olszowski, pleaded guilty to the following:
- Tobacco products that were not labelled with prescribed health warnings
- Counterfeit cigarettes which breached the Trade Marks Act
- Alcohol which had been imported without the payment of duty
- The failure to have a system of traceability in place to enable the supplier of alcohol to be identified
- Cigarettes which in addition to being counterfeit were dangerous because they failed the British Standard ignition propensity test. This test ensures that cigarettes extinguish themselves if they are left unattended
Wiltshire Council trading standards officers visited the deli in Devizes in March 2017 having received information from Wiltshire Police that illegal cigarettes were being sold underneath the counter. This visit resulted in the seizure of 5,800 cigarettes and 2.2kg of hand rolling tobacco. A total 40 litres of vodka, on display for sale on the premises, were also seized.
Tomasz Olszowski was given a 12 month community order with 240 hrs of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay costs to Wiltshire Council of £700.
Izabela Olszowska was given a community order with 10 Rehabilitation Activity days. She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 in costs.
The Lime Polish Deli Ltd was fined a total of £900 with costs of £1,183.60 awarded to Wiltshire Council.
Jerry Wickham, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public protection said: “Our trading standards officers have demonstrated that they will take action against anyone suspected of flouting the law by selling illegal tobacco and alcohol. This indicates how hard the team work to protect residents and consumers from unsafe and illicit goods.
“I would urge anyone who suspects that an individual or business is selling illegal tobacco or alcohol to call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or call us, so our officers can act promptly.”
If you suspect that illegal goods are being sold, please report this to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.