Shopkeeper sentenced for counterfeit tobacco haul

A SHOP worker in possession of nearly 800 counterfeit tobacco products will have to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,400 in court costs.

Navid Kohneposhi, 31, who trades as Hampden Park Sweet and Toy Shop on Queens Parade, had 780 products which, if genuine, would be worth more than £14,000.

The illegal items were uncovered during an inspection carried out by East Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards team, with counterfeit tobacco and illegal vapes being found in the shop, in Kohneposhi’s car and at his home address in Mulberry Close, Eastbourne.

Kohneposhi pleaded guilty to 19 counts relating to the counterfeit tobacco products, and evasion of duty, and on Monday, April 20 was sentenced to a two-year Community Behaviour Order, 300 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay 2,400 costs.

A Forfeiture and Destruction Order was also granted for the tobacco products and vapes.

Paul Davison, Enforcement and Investigations Manager for East Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards team, said: “We take the supply of illegal tobacco extremely seriously and will do everything we can to protect residents.

“The sale of illegal tobacco, which is not subject to the usual stringent checks and safeguards, puts people’s health further in jeopardy, risks encouraging more young people to smoke and places money into the pockets of criminal gangs.

“Selling cheap, illegal tobacco products only makes them more attractive to children and people trying to quit the habit, putting people’s health at risk.”

He added: “This conviction should act as a warning to those involved in the sale of counterfeit tobacco that we are committed to finding and prosecuting those who persist in this illegal activity.”

Ends.

Karen Bowles

Friday, 8 May 2026