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Wolverhampton Crown Crown Court that Shvan Kocher, aged 40, was a "middle man" in the operation. The matters came to light after Trading Standard officers carried out swoops at Euro Mini Market in Rowley Regis and at his home in Darlaston on June 21, 2023. The items seized included more than 8,000 counterfeit cigarettes and £7,000 cash which was found at the house. With the help of a sniffer dog a search of the shop in Sandwell uncovered more illegal cigarettes and vapes some stashed in hidden compartments. Sentencing him Recorder Marc Brown said: "You must have been part of a group. There's no evidence that you had a leading role. You were storing and selling goods that had a retail value of just under £250,000." "Illegal tobacco goods and vapes have the potential to cause tremendous harm to those who consume them, there are health risks, it results in lost revenue and legitimate businesses cannot compete in the market." In mitigation, barrister Anwar Ramzan said Kocher, a Kurdish speaker, was "remorseful" and described the defendant's role in the trading, as that of a "runner" for others. He said the father-of-three had given up the shop and had since set up a car window tinting enterprise. But the recorder said: "I find that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified." The defendant had initially denied seven counts including possession of prohibited tobacco, money laundering, and trademark offences resulting in the case being listed for trial in 2027. Then at a hearing in September he changed his pleas to guilty and was sentenced on Thursday. Kocher, of Lodge Road, Moxley, was jailed for a total of 21 months suspended for two years. He must attend 20 activity days and carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community. The recorder said he would suspended the term due to the difficult prison conditions and his lack of previous convictions. He also warned Kocher that he would be brought back to court if he committed any further offences in the next two years. A proceeds of crime hearing to recoup his ill-gotten gains will be held next year.
