Oxfordshire Man Fined £400,000 for Repeat Illegal Tobacco Trade

Michael Addison, a 65-year-old from Cheltenham, has been ordered to pay back £400,000 within six months or face four years' imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing illegal cigarettes and smuggled hand-rolling tobacco. Addison was caught repeatedly, first in 2022 and 2023 during joint operations involving Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards, Thames Valley Police, and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, resulting in a two-year suspended sentence and community service. He was apprehended again in July 2024 at Kidlington market with illegal tobacco products and sales records, leading to his recent conviction and upcoming sentencing in November 2024. In addition to the confiscation order, Addison must pay £30,593 in council costs. Authorities emphasize that this case serves as a strong deterrent against illegal tobacco sales in Oxfordshire, with officials encouraging the public to report such activities. The investigation was prompted by intelligence from a member of the public, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade in the region.