Over £60,000 will be taken off two Gedling brothers for selling counterfeit cigarettes.
Peter Dye, 59, from Beaumaris Drive, Gedling was ordered at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday July 21 to pay £50,000 for his part in the illegal sales and was sentenced to 12 months.
The money will have to be paid within three months otherwise Peter Dye will face an 18 month prison sentence.
Peter Dye’s brother Paul Dye, 53, received a two year sentence in October 2015 for his part in the operation and was ordered to pay £11,000 in December 2015.
It’s one of the best pieces of legislation
Chair of Nottinghamshire County Counil’s Community Safety Committee Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle said: “It’s important that criminals who profit from the sale of illegal products do not benefit from their ill-gotten gains.
“[Proceeds of Crime Act 2002] is one of the best pieces of legislation to be introduced in the last decade.
“I hope this case sends a stong message to potential counterfeit cigarette sellers that they not only face a prison sentence if they get caught.”
The money that the brothers owe is based on the value of products seized and the cash believed to be linked to their illegal sales.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team led the case and seized counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and tobacco from the brothers’ houses and shops in raids in April 2014 and January 2015.
