A shop owner has been jailed after Trading Standards officers uncovered an illegal tobacco and vape operation in St Annes.
Officers carried out a series of inspections at the premises and linked locations, seizing large quantities of illicit goods worth an estimated £74,000.
Keyvan Manouchehri, 31, of Russet Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Preston Crown Court after admitting fraudulent trading under the Fraud Act 2006.
The court heard that between July 2024 and January 2025, Manouchehri was involved in running the Euro Mini Market at 150 St Albans Road, which was found to be selling smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and non-compliant vaping products.
Across three visits, officers seized more than 3,600 illegal cigarettes, nearly 600 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and over 380 oversized vapes.
Officers uncovered hidden storage areas, including a locked room above a nearby shop, and discovered further supplies in vehicles linked to the business.
The illegal trade represented a potential loss to the public purse of more than £52,000 in unpaid duty and VAT.
Investigations also found instances of underage sales and repeated attempts by those involved to mislead officers about their identities and activities.
Sentencing, HHJ Knowles KC DL said Manouchehri had shown a “brazen disregard for the law” and posed a high risk of reoffending.
Co-defendant Kawan Poormand, 30, received a 12-month community order, including 160 hours of unpaid work and an electronically monitored curfew. The court recognised his role was limited to short periods working at the shop.
County Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said:
“This case sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and unsafe vaping products in Lancashire.
"These goods undermine legitimate businesses, avoid paying significant amounts of tax and can pose serious health risks to our communities, including young people.
"I would like to commend our Trading Standards officers for their thorough and determined investigation, which has uncovered a significant illegal operation, taken a large quantity of illicit goods off our streets and brought those responsible to justice.”
Lancashire County Council is urging residents and businesses to report any concerns about the sale of illicit tobacco or vapes as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and support responsible retailers.
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