A man described as a prominent figure in the illegal tobacco trade has been sentenced after officers discovered £33,000 in cash stashed in a bin bag under a bed.
Major haul of illicit goods uncovered
Shvan Kocher, of Lodge Road in Darlaston, saw his home and a linked shop raided by Trading Standards officers in June 2023. The searches uncovered a massive quantity of illegal products alongside the hidden cash.
At his address, officials found a large quantity of illegal cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, and disposable vapes. A simultaneous search at a connected shop revealed further concealed stashes.
The total haul from both locations included:
- 176,000 cigarettes found at the shop
- Almost 100kg of hand-rolling tobacco
- 782 disposable vapes
- A further 48,000 cigarettes, 5.7kg of tobacco, and 472 vapes
£250,000 retail value and suspicious finances
Investigators confirmed that the seized tobacco products included genuine brands intended for overseas markets, counterfeit items, and so-called “cheap whites” – products manufactured specifically for smuggling.
If sold at full UK retail value, the total haul would have been worth approximately £250,000 in cigarettes and tobacco, with the vapes valued at around £12,000.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard during proceedings on Thursday, November 7, that more than £3.5 million had passed through Kocher’s bank accounts, raising significant concerns about the origin of the funds.
Court sentence and future proceedings
Kocher was found guilty of multiple offences relating to the sale and possession of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco and vapes.
He was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.
The court has scheduled Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation hearings to take place at a later date, which will determine the fate of the illicit finances.
Commenting on the case, Cllr Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities, stated: “This was a significant and organised operation that showed complete disregard for the law, public health and legitimate local businesses. Our Trading Standards team has worked tirelessly to uncover and dismantle this illegal activity, protecting both residents and honest traders across Walsall.”
He added a clear warning: “We will continue to take strong action against anyone involved in the sale or supply of counterfeit or unsafe products.”
