Katanning’s Act Convenience and Groceries Store owner fined for having 60,000 illegal tobacco products and $6k

A man who was found in possession of more than 60,000 illegal tobacco products and a high quantity of cash during a police raid of his Katanning main-street store has been dealt a hefty fine. Azooz Al Naimi, 38, was sentenced in Katanning Magistrates Court on January 20 for selling a tobacco product by way of retail sale without the authority of a retailer’s licence. A police raid at the Act Convenience and Groceries Store in Katanning on June 4, 2025, uncovered 58,901 cigarettes, 2.35kg of illicit tobacco, 104 nicotine vapes, 25g of nicotine and $6972.05 in cash. At the time of the search, a staff member was completing a cigarette transaction with a customer. Police body-worn camera footage captured Al Naimi admitting he owned the Clive Street store and that he knew he did not have a licence. The illegal sales occurred between March 21 and June 4, 2025. The 38-year-old had pleaded not guilty to the single charge on July 22 appearance but had failed to appear for his last two court dates for trial allocation. As the court had not received correspondence from Al Naimi since October and he had not organised legal representation to appear in his absence, the court decided to sentence Al Naimi under section 55. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker told the court that the store did not have an authorised Australian business number. Magistrate Rosemarie Myers fined Al Naimi $7000 plus $308.80 in costs and was ordered to forfeit the items to police. Al Naimi’s two co-accused were also listed for appearances on January 20, with Zana Ali Qadir Siyan, 47, also failing to appear and Tandin Phurpa, 28, being represented by a lawyer. Both of the accused had their matters adjourned and will appear in Katanning Magistrates Court on March 24.