Council prosecutes business owner for concealed illegal tobacco products
A Chester business owner has been fined over £7,500 for illegal tobacco offences, after discovery of the illegal products concealed behind a fob-activated shutter door.
Following an investigation by Cheshire West and Chester Council sentencing took place at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 20 August 2025.
The defendant, Saman Kaderi (46) is the responsible director of SamK Foods Limited, which trades as Kubus Mini Market at 20 Frodsham Street, Chester. He was charged with four offences relating to the possession of illegal cigarettes in 2023.
On 14 June 2023 officers from Cheshire West Trading Standards and Cheshire Police entered Kubus Mini Market to carry out an inspection.
The visit was prompted following a previous test purchase which raised suspicions, in that a packet of 20 Richmond cigarettes were sold for £5, well below the normal market price of £10.15.
Upon entry to the shop, the officers noted that the shop assistant was immediately trying to hide an object in his hand. The object proved to be an electronic remote fob, which when pressed, opened a shutter, revealing a concealed space behind the till containing a large quantity of cigarettes.
The premises were searched, and illegal cigarettes and tobacco were seized. The goods included cigarettes without the required health warnings and counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.
SamK Foods Limited was fined £4,000, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,600, and costs of £1000, a total of £6,600. Kaderi was fined £107, and ordered to pay a victime surcharge £42.80, and costs of £817,a total of £966.80,making a total of £7,566.80, to be paid within six months.
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.