Council prosecutes business owner for concealed illegal tobacco products

An Ellesmere Port business owner will be required to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work for illegal tobacco offences, after discovery of the illegal products in a concealed storage area.

Following an investigation by Cheshire West and Chester Council sentencing took place at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 8 October 2025.

The defendant, Hamin Latif Rashed (41) is owner and sole trader of the general convenience store called ‘Easy Shop’ on Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port.  He was charged with 10 offences contrary to the Trade Marks Act, and Tobacco and Related Product Regulations.

On 14th October 2024 officers from Cheshire West Trading Standards and Cheshire Police entered Easy Shop to carry out an inspection.

The premises were searched using trained sniffer dogs. In a makeshift kitchen area, illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco were found in a concealed compartment behind a wooden board on the wall. 

The wooden board was fitted on the outside with a fuse box and socket and did not look like a storage area.  It was hinged to the wall and secured with a magnetic lock mechanism.

The goods included disposable vapes with 12 times the legal limit of nicotine liquid, packs of cigarettes without health warnings, and counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.

Rashed was handed a community order of 150 hours and will pay £1,027 costs, plus a victim surcharge of £114.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Pride and Community Safety, Councillor Stuart Bingham said:

“Illegal tobacco supports other criminal activity and has many damaging effects on our local communities, as well as increased health risks.  People may be tempted by the cheap price tag, but it's worth considering the great cost to your health, safety and community.”

The Council and its partner Brio Leisure have a stop smoking service for anyone in the borough who needs support.  The ‘Go Smokefree’ service allows residents to self-refer for support to quit smoking, giving them access to 12 weeks of FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy and unlimited behavioural support for as long as they feel they need. One-to-one support is available in one of 18 venues across the borough.

Additionally, residents can be supported via telephone, text, or via Brio’s Facebook page.

For more information and support visit: 

www.cheshirechangehub.org

...email at: 

hello@cheshirechangehub.org 

...or call on:

0300 777 0033