Illegal tobacco dealer faces £33k repayment or jail

Seized tobacco

An illegal tobacco dealer from Middleton must repay £32,800 or face time behind bars.

Mark Wood, 57, of Rochdale Road, Middleton, was ordered to pay back £32,808.58 at a confiscation hearing at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.

If he does not pay the money back within three months, he will face 14 months behind bars and still owe the money.

Wood bought illegal cigarettes from Iqbal Haji of Whalley Street, Blackburn, who kept meticulous sales records in two ‘dealer’ books at his home. 

Debbie Porter, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “We are determined to create a level playing field for local businesses by disrupting the illegal trade and punishing fraudsters. We urge anyone with information about the black market in smuggled cigarettes to contact us online or to call 0800 788 887.”