Fines and community service for Staffordshire man caught selling illicit cigarettes and vapes
A Rugeley man has been fined and issued with a 12-month community order for selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes from his car in the town.
Sedat Yurukhu, aged 53 from Catkin Walk in Rugeley, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to selling the illicit goods in April 2023. He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £4237.83 and a victim surcharge of £144. He was also given a 12-month community order, including 100 hours of unpaid work and 5 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days at the hearing at Cannock Magistrates Court on Thursday 2 October.
The prosecution, by Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service, followed reports from Staffordshire Police who had uncovered large quantities of illegal products from Mr Yurukhu’s car after spotting him giving out cigarettes for cash outside Rugeley Police Station. When challenged, Mr Yurukhu admitted to selling the goods illegally.
A later search of his home revealed more illegal goods and a large amount of cash. In total, authorities seized 697 packs of cigarettes, 990 disposable vapes, 21 packs of hand-rolling tobacco and £3,000 in cash. A sales ledger showed that over £20,000 was made through illegal sales over a 24-week period.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Our Trading Standards service will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes in our communities.
“These products not only undermine legitimate businesses but pose serious health risks, especially to young people. Our enforcement teams are actively cracking down on rogue traders and anyone caught selling these items will face the full force of the law, including prosecution and closure. Today’s outcome is a positive result for the service and our communities.
“The sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes is not a victimless crime. It fuels organised criminal networks and undermines the safety of our streets. Every illegal product taken off the shelves is a blow to those who profit from exploiting the public.”
People can report the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or call the confidential helpline on 01785 330356.
