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Four men have been convicted of selling illicit tobacco, after shops were raided across Ipswich and Colchester.
An investigation led by ERSOU's Regional Organised Crime Unit found that Amir Sarawan and Semko Mohamed were the spearheads of an operation which evaded the payment of around £150,000 of excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco by bringing it into the UK illegally.
The pair were arrested in June 2018 when ERSOU investigators carried out warrants at two residential properties and seven shops in Ipswich, one at a shop in Colchester, and further searches at storage buildings and vehicles in Ipswich.
The warrants, which were in conjunction with Suffolk Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), led to the seizure of thousands of pounds of cash and tobacco products.
Sarawan, 47, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, was subsequently charged with Fraudulent Evasion of Duty and Possession of Criminal Property and, at an Ipswich Crown Court hearing on Friday (2 December), was jailed for two years and four months.
Mohamed, 50, of Wicklow Road, Ipswich, was charged with Fraudulent Evasion of Duty and jailed for two years and one month.
The pair worked together and made at least £92,000 from the illicit activity.
Farang Yasin, 50, of Selwyn Close, Ipswich, was also given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and Jasim Omar, 42, of Moy Road, Colchester, was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
They each had shops in Ipswich and Colchester and had previously admitted charges of Fraudulent Evasion of Duty. They were also ordered to do 180 hours' unpaid work.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Turner said: “This was an ERSOU-led investigation supported by Suffolk Trading standards and HMRC targeting illicit finance in Ipswich.
“The co-ordinated partnership approach led to significant arrests and the recovery of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illegal cigarettes that were stored and couriered by this organised gang.
“The sentences received should be a deterrent to those involved in such criminality and provide reassurance to local businesses who have clearly struggled to compete against this illegal market.”
Report a business to the HMRC fraud hotline if they’re selling tobacco or alcohol without paying the full UK Excise Duty via https://www.gov.uk/report-tobacco-or-alcohol-tax-evasion
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Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Surveillance Team have detained 973 diesel heaters at the Port of Felixstowe over the last two months. All products were found to be unsafe, with listings for all sellers removed on eBay.
Consignments arrived at the Port in October and November and were stopped by the team, with samples sent to a test house for assessment.
Each of the products did not meet the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 because they could present the hazards of fire and death due to poor supporting installation information.
Manuals supplied with the products failed to give measurements for installing and did not give the minimum distance the exhaust pipe can be installed from flammable material, or material that could give off poisonous fumes when heated, such as insulation material.
No warning was provided about heat and dangers to the user if installed incorrectly.
Large parts of the manuals were written in poor English and had incorrect words used. The intended meaning was, in some cases, difficult to understand.
Additionally, the products and instructions did not have the name and address of the importer or manufacturer, and did not included the required Declaration of Conformity (DoC). A DoC is a formal declaration by a manufacturer, or the manufacturer's representative, that the product to which it applies meets all relevant requirements of all product safety directives applicable to that product.
If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. |
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Are you super organised for Christmas and planning on buying your turkey, duck or goose to freeze?
If so, make sure to check the label before purchasing. Some products sold from 28th November – 31st December will be labelled as ‘defrosted’, and they’re safe to re-freeze if it says so on the label.
Here are some of the Food Standards Agency’s top tips:
- Don’t wash whole birds or poultry meat products
- If your bird is frozen, check the label, as some smaller birds can be cooked from frozen
- Allow extra time for defrost a large bird before cooking. Plan this in advance, as a whole turkey can take between 3 to 5 days to properly defrost.
- Follow the cooking instructions, and make sure it’s steaming hot throughout For more advice on cooking turkeys, visit the FSA website: https://www.food.gov.uk/christmas
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Experts have warned that unscrupulous lenders could try to cash in on the festive period as households struggle to cope with rising food, fuel and energy bills.
Loan sharks are targeting vulnerable people seeking credit and trapping them into a cycle of debt with exorbitant interest rates and threats of violence.
A report published by the Centre for Social Justice estimated that 1.08 million people could already be in debt to an illegal money lender. This is over 700,000 more people than the most recent official estimate.
Figures released by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) show that nearly one in ten of those who borrowed money from loan sharks last year did so to cover the costs of Christmas.
More than half of the victims (52%) supported by the IMLT in the first half of 2022 had borrowed from a loan shark to pay for essentials such as food and fuel.
Loan sharks pose a dangerous threat to all communities. They charge exorbitant interest rates and target the most vulnerable with aggressive and exploitative practices. The impact of illegal money lending is severe and far-reaching, with devastating consequences for the mental health and wellbeing of those affected.
The figures come amid national warnings that the scale of household debt will continue to rise as financial pressures on households leave many struggling to afford their monthly bills.
The IMLT is working hard to combat the growth in illegal lending by focusing on prevention, awareness and enforcement activities.
Follow these safety tips to protect yourself and loved ones from loan sharks:
If you’re struggling to make ends meet and need cash fast, the thought of a loan shark might seem tempting, but remember these lenders are not your friends. Debt can quickly spiral out of control – it’s important to think carefully before taking out a loan and consider other options.
Never send money or give credit card, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it from criminals who can use it to find and stalk you, harass you or threaten those you love.
If you’re thinking about borrowing money, it’s important to check that your lender is genuine. Loan sharks operate illegally without the correct permission from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Do your research first and check the firm or person you’re dealing with is listed on the Financial Services Register.
When exploitative loan sharks are preying on hardship, it’s vital for people to know there is an ethical, local, not-for-profit alternative available. Credit unions are a lifeline for many people, with their services helping members to save regularly, borrow responsibly and keep track of their finances. There are other community lenders who are mostly not for profit, and who reinvest any surpluses into serving vulnerable customers, which can be found on the Finding Finance website.
Getting trapped in a never-ending spiral of debt after borrowing from a loan shark can have devastating consequences, not only on your finances but also on most other aspects of your life, including your mental health, work and relationships with your family and friends. If you’re worried about a friend or family member, or if you need help yourself, Stop Loan Sharks can offer confidential advice and support.
Are you worried about a friend or family member who is being taken advantage of by a loan shark? Contact Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline or fill in their secure online form to receive confidential support.
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A crackdown by enforcement bodies and Meta has removed listings of potential counterfeit products from Instagram.
The listings cover counterfeit electrical goods – such as phone accessories and potentially dangerous chargers – as well as fake clothing and fashion accessories, jewellery, tobacco, car parts and copyrighted photographs.
The crackdown – which is still ongoing – comes alongside a revealing new survey showing that just over 1 in 4 UK shoppers are considering or intending to buy fake products this year. Additionally, almost 2 in 5 (37%) said they want to buy the same amount of presents as last Christmas, which could lure more people into unknowingly purchasing cheaper but unsafe counterfeit products.
Electrical devices (such as smartphones, tablets or laptops) and accessories (such as chargers and earphones) are among the top targets for consumers planning or tempted to buy fakes this year. These illegally-sold items pose substantial risks for shoppers, as they can be both poor quality, leading to wasted spending, and incredibly dangerous. Previous research by Electrical Safety First found that 98% of fake Apple chargers failed safety tests, and the consequences can be dire, with recent Home Office data showing 10 UK house fires each day are caused by faulty appliances and leads.
Shoppers who turn to counterfeits risk, at best, disappointing financial loss but also serious harm. 45% of respondents reported problems after buying fakes across all product types with top issues relating to quality and products not being fit for purpose. Similar quality concerns around knock-off, unregulated, electrical goods could have devastating impacts for households this Christmas.
Tips to avoid being duped into purchasing counterfeit products
1) Vet the seller. Do they look official? Have you bought from this seller before, is the website or platform well known? Does the seller have a returns policy? If you are in doubt, look for a genuine online review, not just recommendations from influencers to buy the item.
2) Avoid payments by bank transfer. Always beware of retailers asking for payment to be made via bank transfer. Well known credit card providers like Visa or Mastercard, and services like PayPal offer protection to buyers if the goods don’t arrive or are proven to be counterfeit.
3) Trust your instincts. Does the item on offer look and feel like an authentic product? Sellers of counterfeits often make spelling mistakes in their descriptions and sometimes on the products themselves, which is an obvious warning sign. Spelling and grammar mistakes can indicate fakes!
4) Look for EU and UK safety markings. The safety standards of counterfeit items are poor and can be dangerous, especially when they are shipped from abroad. Do items have EU and UK safety markings? You should always check for the correct age restrictions and hazard warnings on the packaging.
5) Question the price if much cheaper than elsewhere. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price. Scammers often sell counterfeit goods at discounted prices to make you drop your guard. If the item is significantly cheaper than you’d expect, that’s a good reason for alarm bells to ring. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.
If you or someone you know has purchased a counterfeit product or suspects that a website is selling counterfeit products, report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
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Warm spaces have been set up across the County and are open to anyone wishing to get out of the cold this winter.
The Rural Coffee Caravan have set up a map of warm spaces in Suffolk. Please check it out here and ensure you make friends and family aware: www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/map/
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B & M are recalling My First Ball.
The product presents a risk of choking as the tags on the ball detached causing damage to the seams, giving access to the inside of the toy. Inside the toy there is a small ball shaped rattle which fits within the truncated cylinder. A young infant may put the small part into their mouth and choke.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Please stop using it immediately and return it to a store for a full refund.
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