Aiman Mohmoud: PS4X4 director jailed for $3.3 million tobacco rort

A Glenroy dad who used his 4WD parts company as a front for a multimillion-dollar illegal tobacco importing scheme copped a hefty price for his “big mistake”.

Mohmoud tried to illegally import more than three tonnes of tobacco.

A Glenroy business owner who tried to get out of paying $3.3 million tax by illegally importing more than three tonnes of tobacco has been jailed.

Aiman Mohmoud, 38, was sentenced to a minimum of one year’s jail before the County Court on December 16, after pleading guilty to importing tobacco products with the intention of defrauding the revenue.

Mohmoud’s multimillion-dollar scheme unravelled when Australian Border Force discovered 3285kg of undeclared tobacco in a shipping container which arrived from China in August 2018.

Mohmoud had reported the container as carrying car parts, and signed for it under a false name when it was delivered to his business’ factory on Maygar Boulevard, Broadmeadows on September 4, 2018.

But he quickly admitted to his crime when interviewed by authorities that afternoon, telling them he’d made “a big mistake”.

The court heard he had paid $55,000 for the tonnes of tobacco, which would have accrued $3,312,576.72 in Commonwealth duties and taxes if it had been declared when brought into Australia.

It was heard the viability of Mohmoud’s four wheel drive accessories business PS4X4, formerly known as Protector Store, was at the time threatened by debt owed to Toyota over intellectual property violations.

Mohmoud had agreed to pay Toyota $250,000 over the legal dispute in July 2018 and was struggling under the financial strain.

He had a prior conviction for obtaining property by deception.

The court heard the Glenroy man was a father of four whose wife was unwell, and three of his employees provided positive character references to the court.

Judge Michael O’Connell said Mohmoud’s crime was a serious example of the offence, involving a “very substantial sum” and high moral culpability.

“You made a calculated business decision to profit from illegal activity,” he said.

However, Judge O’Connell noted Mohmoud was “very remorseful” and had committed the offence while under extreme stress.

Judge O’Connell noted the delay in sorting out the charges had already been punitive, and that custody would be more onerous due to restrictions caused by COVID-19.

He sentenced Mohmoud to two years and six months’ jail, ordering Mohmoud be released after 12 months’ jail onto a reconnaissance order in the sum of $3000 and the condition he be of good behaviour for 18 months.