Trader sentenced over 82,000 counterfeit tobacco haul

A trader who was caught selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in East Street Market has been sentenced to a maximum of 12 months (suspended for two years). Mr Abdullah Al-Taaei (48) of Kennington, SE11 was due to stand trial on 6 July at the Inner London Crown Court but pleaded guilty before it commenced to multiple offences relating to the supply and possession of illegal tobacco. The court then adjourned sentencing until 29 July 2015 pending pre-sentence reports.The offences took place in March 2014 and concerned over 82,000 cigarettes as well as hand rolling tobacco. The court heard that following an anonymous tip-off Al-Taaei had been subject to surveillance by Southwark Council’s trading standard team over a three month period in early 2014.