Employees at an illegal tobacco store disguised as a candy shop in Albany said they had no idea who he worked for and only knew him as “King.”
The man and woman, who ABC chose to remain anonymous, were working at the Albany CBD outlet last month when detectives raided it and seized 22,000 cigarettes and 89 nicotine e-cigarettes.
They filed their case in Albany Magistrates Court today, pleading guilty to selling tobacco products without a license and illegally possessing prescription drugs.
Both received $1,000 fines and were convicted, but they also testified about details of the illegal tobacco trade in the local city.
They told the court they could not reveal the name of the store’s owner, saying only that one member of staff was responsible for the “king”.
The store was raided by Albany detectives last month. (ABC Great Southern: Eliza Kavanagh)
They were promised $250 a day to work at the store, but were never paid.
The woman said she initially thought the job would help her save money on enrolling in upskilling courses.
But she soon told the court she was worried about the players she was mixing with and planned to hide out at home once the case was over.
He also said another operator, a woman, tried to enlist her teenage son to join her “little crew.”
The store is located within 1 km from a nearby elementary school. (ABC Great Southern: Eliza Kavanagh)
dangerous effects
Judge Rosemary Myers said the illegal trade in tobacco and e-cigarettes was “on the minds of many people right now”.
“This has significant implications for local communities and has implications for government,” she said.
The store posted a sign saying it was open on February 19th. (ABC Great Southern: Samantha Goering)
Myers said the couple must have known what they were doing was wrong because the store advertised itself as a “candy shop” and sold cigarettes.
“If my child had gone into a candy store and bought something illegal, I would have been mortified,” she told Sanders.
“You are a vulnerable person looking for a job.
“It would be easy to think this is a way to make money without considering the consequences if you are prosecuted.
”If something looks too good to be true, it is too good to be true.”
The defense lawyer said his client had not thought through the consequences and accepted his actions were “stupid”.
Rosana Clerigo said she reported the incident to the police. (ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy)
Harassment of nearby stores
After the police raid, the store temporarily closed, but demand for illegal cigarettes by local residents began to affect nearby businesses.
Speaking to the ABC ahead of today’s court proceedings, Rosana Clerigo said as many as 20 people a day enter her store looking for illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
“They ask, ‘Do you sell e-cigarettes or sticks?'” Clerigo said.
“I tell them to look elsewhere, but they keep coming back here.”
She put up signs outside her store to try to deter people from coming in for tobacco products, but to no avail.
Rosana Clerigo installed a sign outside her store. (ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy)
Clerigo, who opened the store two years ago, said he called police multiple times as the problem worsened in recent months.
“I’m very worried,” she said.
“I have a camera in the kitchen, so if I know they’re looking for something, I don’t want to go outside.”