Shop owner jailed after council uncovers fake tobacco operation
An illegal tobacco operation uncovered by Portsmouth City Council has resulted in three men being sentenced.
Three men have received sentences at Portsmouth Crown Court for an illegal tobacco operation taking place at the Five Star Shisha shop on Kingston Road and the Charlotte Mini Market on Charlotte Street.
Bestun Ibrahim Mohammad was jailed for 16 months, while Pasharaw Mohammad and Khalid Abdulla were handed suspended prison sentences at Portsmouth Crown Court on 4 November 2025.
Illegal goods were concealed using advanced methods, including stashing them in nearby vehicles and above an electromagnetic hatch in the shop’s ceiling.
Numerous test purchases were carried out by the council’s trading standards team, leading to the seizure of £37,000 worth of fake tobacco.
Bestun Ibrahim Mohammed was the registered owner and director of both shops throughout most of the offending period. He expanded the operation to two shops after being warned.
Pasharaw Mohammad was found to be selling the tobacco in secret filming and using his vehicle to hide the goods. He was sentenced to eight months in custody, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Khalid Abdulla was also a director of both shops for a shorter period and was found to be selling fake tobacco. He was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months, given a 120-day curfew, and will be subject to electronic tagging.
At an earlier hearing, Bestun Mohammad and Pasharaw Mohammad both pleaded guilty to 34 charges, while Mr Khalid Abdulla pleaded guilty to 18 charges, all related to the sale of illegal tobacco.
Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, leisure and sport, said: “This sentencing, particularly the owner going straight to prison, reflects the seriousness of the offending and how dangerous fake tobacco is, because it often has higher amounts of toxic chemicals.
“The Council is on the side of honest shopkeepers whose trade is damaged by this illegal activity, and this positive outcome should serve as a warning that those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Counterfeit tobacco is illegally manufactured by unlicensed producers and has been found to contain arsenic, lead, sawdust, weed killer and even animal faeces. Fake vapes can exceed the legal e-liquid capacity and may contain hazardous metals and chemicals.
Residents can report shops selling illegal tobacoo and vapes either by emailing [email protected] or report anonymously by calling 0300 999 6 999 or visiting www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk