A Glasgow company director has received an eight-year disqualification from managing or forming companies following his involvement in the illicit importation of raw tobacco. The scheme, which saw Fazle Masum conceal raw tobacco within vacuum-sealed tins disguised as furniture, was uncovered by Border Force officers in January 2022.
The consignment, addressed to Unique Enterprise Ltd, a company operated by Masum, was intercepted at Grangemouth. Crucially, Unique Enterprise Ltd lacked the necessary approval from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to handle raw tobacco, a statutory requirement in the UK since 1 April 2017.
Following the seizure, Masum reportedly sought to reclaim the confiscated tobacco from Border Force. However, an ensuing investigation by HMRC resulted in Unique Enterprise Ltd being issued a penalty of £152,980. The company subsequently entered liquidation, accumulating debts of almost £175,000, the majority of which comprised the unpaid HMRC penalty.
The disqualification order against Masum was issued at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 8 June 2026, and officially came into effect on Monday, 29 June 2026. This prohibition prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation, or management of a company without explicit permission from the court.
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Commenting on the case, Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated: “Fazle Masum chose to import raw tobacco without the required approval and went to deliberate lengths to hide what he was doing. That is not conduct we expect from company directors.”
“Director disqualification is one of the most important tools we have to protect the public. By securing this order, we are making sure Masum cannot put other companies, creditors or consumers at risk in the same way.”
Christina Brown, Head of Border Force North Region, also commented on the interception: “Masum’s interception highlights Border Force’s vigilance against unlicensed tobacco and cigarette smuggling. Through intelligence led multi-agency operations we are seizing hundreds of millions of illegal cigarettes, disrupting organised crime and protecting legitimate businesses.”
