Two illegal cigarette sellers who sold their counterfeit goods at the Nag's Head in Holloway, N7, were sentenced to three months' imprisonment today (28 February 2007) at Highbury Magistrate's Court. <br><br>Mamhoud Kadiri, 28, of NW3 and Bazdhar Sabir, 22, of no fixed address were arrested yesterday (27 February).<br><br>Cllr Marisha Ray, Executive Member for Community Safety, Islington Council said: "These significant prison sentences send out a very clear signal that illegal cigarette sellers are not welcome in Islington. I'm delighted that our joint action with the police has yielded a visible and lasting reduction in these criminals whose trade is a nuisance and finances crime. We'll continue to look at all means necessary to make the streets safe and pleasant for all of us in the area."<br><br>Sgt Stuart Simpson, Nag's Head Safer Neighbourhood Team said: '"These are the biggest custodial sentences the court has awarded against cigarette sellers in Islington - so this is great news. The numbers of illegal traders at the Nag's Head has fallen from over 40 to about a dozen each day. Our team tackles concerns raised by the local community who tell us the single most important issue is the sale of counterfeit goods. The work to eradicate the sale of counterfeit goods in the Nag's Head will continue."<br><br>To date, Nag's Head's counterfeit goods operation has seized 1,408,340 counterfeit cigarettes (worth £176,843), 171 kgs of rolling tobacco (worth £17,050) and 32,817 DVDs (worth £98,451). <br><br>Robert Fenton, Security Liaison Manager with the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said: <br><br>"From my test purchases in the area I can say that almost 100% of the sales are now counterfeit. In recent months a sharp decline in cigarette sellers at the Nag's Head has been noted."<br><br>Islington Council part funds Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and works jointly to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough. Previous action on illegal cigarette sellers includes issuing dispersal orders banning them from the Nag's Head area.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009