Two Ipswich businessmen men who were behind the sale of thousands of black market cigarettes and tobacco in shops in Ipswich and Colchester have been given jail sentences totalling more than four years.
Sentencing Amir Sarawan and Semko Mohamed, Judge Emma Peters said they had been in control of the operation which involved the fraudulent evasion of £146,000 of excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco brought into the UK illegally.
Jailing Sarawan for 28 months and Mohamed for 25 months, she said it was necessary to pass deterrent sentences as law-abiding businesses suffered as a result of being undercut by shops selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco.
Mohamed, 50, of Wicklow Road, Ipswich, and Sarawan, 47, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, admitted being knowingly involved with tobacco products on which duty hadn’t been paid.
Sarawan also admitted possessing criminal property, namely £16,600 and $1,500.
Also before the court were Farang Yasin, 50, of Selwyn Close, Ipswich, and Jasim Omar, 42, of Moy Road, Colchester, who also admitted being knowingly involved with tobacco products on which duty hadn’t been paid.
Yasin, who also admitted possessing criminal property, namely £9,900, was given a 10-month sentence suspended for 18 months, and Omar, who had a shop in The Hythe, Colchester, was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
Both men were ordered to do 180 hours' unpaid work and were given a six-month curfew.
A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act will take place next year.
Devon Small, for Sarawan, said the operation had only been going on for about six months before his client was arrested.
He said Sarawan took full responsibility for his involvement in the offences and didn’t blame any of the other defendants.
He said Sarawan, who has no previous convictions, had set up legitimate businesses selling used cars and a business sub-letting retail premises around Ipswich before becoming involved in the illegal operation in 2017/2018
Caroline Abraham, for Semko, said her client had no previous convictions and had not reoffended in the four years since the offence.
She said Semko, who was now working as a van driver for a poultry factory and was the sole provider for his family, was remorseful.
Philip Farr, for Yasin, said his client had no previous convictions and had lived and worked in the Ipswich area since 2018.
He had become involved in the conspiracy through naivety and the chance to earn some quick extra money.
Mr Farr said he was involved in the evasion of around £29,000 duty.
Arlette Piercy, for Omar, said he came to the UK seeking asylum 21 years ago and was ashamed at coming before the court after being given sanctuary in this country.
She said he was only involved in the conspiracy for a few months in 2018 and had lost his businesses as a result of that involvement.
Miss Piercy said he accepted being involved in a loss in revenue of no more than £30,000.
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