A former Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) manager has been sentenced and ordered to pay over £2,500 after being caught running an illegal tobacco business for more than a year.
Court Sentence for Fraudulent Business
Barry Anthony Cassidy, from Anglesey, appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. He pleaded guilty to being involved in a fraudulent business and to concealing and converting criminal property.
The court handed Cassidy a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,427.07 and a £114 victim surcharge, bringing his total financial penalty to £2,544.07.
Illicit Trade Uncovered by Trading Standards
Anglesey Trading Standards, working with the national Operation CeCe illicit tobacco team, uncovered Cassidy's illegal activities. Evidence from his phone showed he was selling illicit tobacco between March 2023 and June 2024.
The illegal operation resulted in an estimated £10,000 in lost duty and revenue from legitimate businesses. Cassidy, who had worked as a DWP manager for over three decades, expressed remorse in court, stating he hadn't fully appreciated the wider impact of his actions on lawful traders and public revenue.
Wider Crackdown on Organised Crime Links
The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade, which is often linked to serious organised crime. In April, the National Crime Agency (NCA) raided hundreds of high street businesses suspected of being supplied by international gangs.
Anglesey's Public Protection portfolio holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, praised the joint operation: "This case clearly highlights the effectiveness of joint working with our partners at the Operation CeCe illicit tobacco team. I'm also grateful to our Trading Standards officers for ensuring that these illegal sales of tobacco were identified and that Barry Anthony Cassidy has been brought to account for his crimes."
Criminology experts have described the supply networks for illegal cigarettes as a "golden thread for understanding serious organised crime," underlining the significance of such prosecutions beyond the immediate financial loss.
