Illegal Sale of Thousands of Cigarettes Exposed by Liverpool Council

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.23.2024
Illegal Sale of Thousands of Cigarettes Exposed by Liverpool Council
Edge Lane store in Liverpool has been exposed to illegal cigarette sales, leading to loss of trust and license revocation.

According to a report by the Liverpoolecho, the Liverpool City Council has uncovered illegal sales of thousands of cigarettes at the Edge Lane store, exposing criminal activities.

 

A parliamentary committee has pointed out that Lengi Ahmad's Edge Lane Convenience and Off License store has been found with thousands of illegal products within a span of two years, leading to a loss of confidence in its business practices. During a hearing, Ahmed admitted to violating the licensing conditions by selling counterfeit cigarettes. The local authorities have revoked its certification, citing "clear evidence" of misconduct.

 

In two separate inspections, law enforcement and a parliamentary committee have uncovered counterfeit cigarettes, non-duty paid cigarettes, and illegal e-cigarettes worth thousands of pounds. The shops in question have been accused of impacting honest businesses who suffer losses due to counterfeit products.

 

Lanji Ahmed's license has been revoked due to misconduct, with the committee expressing "lack of confidence" in him.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

New York’s budget plan would apply a 75% wholesale tax to nicotine pouches, raising projected revenue
New York’s budget plan would apply a 75% wholesale tax to nicotine pouches, raising projected revenue
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to tax ZYN nicotine pouches and other nicotine products at the same rate as cigarettes, applying a 75% wholesale tax under her proposed $260 billion state budget.
Jan.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Imperial Brands Forms Global AI Partnership with Capgemini, Reinforcing Artificial Intelligence as Core Infrastructure in the Nicotine Industry
Imperial Brands Forms Global AI Partnership with Capgemini, Reinforcing Artificial Intelligence as Core Infrastructure in the Nicotine Industry
Industry Insight
Feb.19
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
India has reaffirmed its 2019 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, effectively blocking Philip Morris International (PMI) from launching IQOS in the country despite years of lobbying. Together with Taiwan, China’s conditional opening of heated tobacco products, and Japan’s planned 2026 excise tax hikes, these moves highlight increasingly divergent national regulatory pathways—an external uncertainty shaping PMI’s smoke-free growth trajectory.
Feb.12
Kenya’s BAT Kenya resumes Velo nicotine pouches after citing regulatory clarity
Kenya’s BAT Kenya resumes Velo nicotine pouches after citing regulatory clarity
BAT Kenya says it has resumed sales of Velo oral nicotine pouches after receiving regulatory clarity, reinforcing its push into non-combustible products as cigarette consumption falls.The company reported a 10% drop in turnover in 2025, with revenue closing at KSh23.2 billion (about $178.64 million), largely attributed to the growing presence of illegal tobacco products.
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | VOZOL launches new GEAR-series device in the UK and UAE, featuring a 2.1-inch colour screen and sound interaction
Product | VOZOL launches new GEAR-series device in the UK and UAE, featuring a 2.1-inch colour screen and sound interaction
Vape brand VOZOL has recently listed a disposable shisha-style product, the GEAR HOOKAH 40000, on its official website. Public information shows the device comes with a 26ml e-liquid capacity, offers 3mg/ml and 5mg/ml nicotine strengths, and is marketed at 25,000–40,000 puffs. It is currently available via selected online retail channels in the UK and the UAE.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
China’s e-cigarette industry is adjusting to a major policy shift. From April 1, 2026, China will scrap the 13% export VAT rebate on e-cigarette products, a move affecting manufacturers centered in Shenzhen. Industry participants told 2Firsts the change is forcing a reassessment of pricing and capacity, with competition shifting toward cash flow resilience, regulatory compliance, and multi-location strategies.
Industry Insight
Jan.16