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A shocking betrayal of trust within the Muslim community has culminated in the sentencing of two British Bangladeshi Scammers, who systematically defrauded consumers by falsely distributing non-halal chicken as religiously permissible meat. This calculated deception, which spanned half a decade, has led to a significant prison sentence for one of the main perpetrators and a suspended sentence for his accomplice.
Hamil Miah, 46, originally hailing from Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, and the proprietor of Universal Food Wholesale Limited, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. He was found guilty of fraudulent trading and trading whilst bankrupt. His co-defendant, Noaf Rahman, also 46 and from Cardiff, received a 24-month suspended sentence after admitting to the fraudulent trading offences prior to the trial.
Unmasking a Deceitful Enterprise
The fraudulent operation came to light following an extensive investigation initiated in January 2019 by Cardiff and the Vale Shared Regulatory Services. Prosecutor Alex Greenwood told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court that for a period of five years, customers of numerous restaurants and takeaways throughout South and West Wales were unknowingly consuming non-halal products, a direct consequence of the defendants' criminal activities.
The investigation uncovered egregious practices at the pair's Cardiff warehouse, leading to the seizure of a staggering 2,840kg of frozen meat. Among the alarming findings were a complete lack of proper meat traceability, the alteration of sell-by dates, and the unhygienic transportation of chicken in dirty vans without adequate chilling.
Exploiting Faith for Profit
Crucially, the court heard that while some chicken was indeed initially sourced as halal, the "cutting room" at the warehouse failed to adhere to the stringent hygiene standards required for halal meat. Compounding the issue, this same facility was used to process non-halal meat, thus contaminating all products and rendering them unfit to be accurately described as halal. Disturbingly, there were extended periods during which the warehouse received no halal meat from wholesalers, yet continued to supply chicken to restaurants and takeaways under the false pretense that it was halal.
The prosecution emphasized that the defendants established multiple companies, deliberately constructing a "corporate veil" to obscure their illicit activities and create a "confusing trail." Judge Vanessa Francis condemned their "cavalier attitude" and deemed both men equally culpable, highlighting the "extensive harm" and "flagrant breaches over a significant period of time."
Judge Francis remarked, "This was a disaster waiting to happen," expressing relief that a major public health crisis was averted despite the distribution of unsafe meat. She further underscored the profound "societal impact," which she found "difficult to quantify," particularly the deep sense of betrayal felt by the Muslim community that relies heavily on the integrity and authenticity of halal certification. This case serves as a grave reminder of the severe repercussions awaiting those who exploit religious dietary laws for personal gain.
