West Midlands Police have raised serious concerns regarding an application to alter the licence of Menna Market, located on High Street in Cradley Heath, after the shop was found with illegal tobacco products and caught selling alcohol without a valid licence.
The shop has been searched twice within the past two years, with both inspections uncovering substantial amounts of non-duty paid alcohol, illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and illicit vaping products. Despite these findings and a suspension of its licence due to unpaid annual fees, the shop reportedly continued to sell alcohol unlawfully.
The licensing committee of Sandwell Council is set to review the application on 22 September. Currently, the premises licence was granted to Drink Time Ltd in October 2024, with Aram Ibrahemi, who holds a personal licence from Coventry City Council, named as both the premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor (DPS).
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In August, an application was submitted to transfer the licence holder to Drink Time Ltd and appoint Magdir Mamant Mohamad-sole director of the company and holder of a personal licence issued by East Staffordshire Council-as the new DPS.
West Midlands Police have objected to this application. They believe Mr Mohamad has been involved with the business throughout the period during which illegal activities were identified and view the licence transfer as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the prior breaches and illicit sales.
An official objection from the police stated: “The shop is clearly involved in the sale of illicit items, and the transfer applications appear to be an attempt to move the licence into another name while the premises remain under investigation for illicit sales. We believe that Magdir Mamant Mohamad, the proposed DPS and director of Drink Time Limited, has been involved throughout the period of concern. Granting this transfer and change of DPS risks undermining crime prevention objectives.”
This situation unfolds against a backdrop of wider enforcement activity in Cradley Heath, where several shops have faced closures following raids. Over the summer, Cradley Market was shut for three months after being found selling illegal drugs including cocaine, cannabis, crystal meth, and prescription medicines without a prescription.
Similarly, International Vape and All Day were both closed for three months following legal actions, while G&G Market had its licence revoked by Sandwell Council in July due to the sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco shortly after opening last November.
West Midlands Police emphasised that despite multiple seizures of illegal cigarettes, tobacco products, and prescription-only medicines-some sold even to an undercover child-the shop continued operating illicitly and defied warnings.
The licensing committee’s forthcoming decision will determine whether Menna Market can proceed with its licence changes or if further measures will be taken to address these ongoing issues.