A Rhondda Cynon Taf shop director has been successfully prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards department for the sale of illegal tobacco products.
Appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court, both director Peter Pliscak and employee Magdalena Racova, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to the charges following an investigation by Trading Standards officers.
Pliscak, the director of Pontypridd Anna Shop Ltd, pleaded guilty to 13 charges relating to the sale of illegal tobacco products and was fined £4,550 plus costs. Racova pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the sale of illegal tobacco and was fined £370 plus costs.
The successful charges were brought against both defendants by the Council’s Trading Standards department as a result of information received. Officers carried out test purchases in August and September 2021.
A concealment of illegal tobacco was found at the premise in the stock room in September 2021. A concealment had been built with a void behind the back panel of a shelving unit. A total of 4,100 cigarettes and 250g of hand rolling tobacco were seized.
At the court sentencing, magistrates said they had ‘acted deviously’ in building a concealment.
Louise Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Service, speaking after the court case, said: “Once again, the Council has concluded a successful prosecution against two Rhondda Cynon Taf business people in relation to the sale of illegal tobacco products.
“The Law is there to protect both the public and legitimate businesses who sell quality goods from reputable outlets.
“Our Trading Standards officers, working on information received, carried out a thorough investigation, which has resulted in this successful prosecution. The sale of these illegal tobacco products was not only detrimental to consumers, but also to honest traders.
“Consumers also have the right to know that items they are purchasing fit the description being offered.”
Posted on 10/11/2022