An Oxfordshire couple were handed a prison sentence today following a raid on their home which uncovered illegal items.

Banbury husband and wife Krzysztof Bugno, 42, and Ewelina Bugno, 41, of Mold Crescent, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday after police seized more than 44,000 illicit cigarettes and 24.5 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco.

At that time, this was the largest ever amount seized by the local authority and had a street value of £20,000.

Kryzsztof Bugno was given a 14-month sentence suspended for two years, a rehabilitation order of 32 days and was told to pay costs of £2,000 within 15 months.

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The judge handed Ewelina Bugno a suspended concurrent sentence of eight-months-imprisonment and she was ordered to pay £1,000 within 15 months.

Each Bugno had previously entered guilty pleas to eight charges including being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty.

The court heard earlier in November that on August 31, 2021, an undercover operative bought 10 packets of L&M cigarettes for £60 after responding to an advert posted by an account with a pseudonym on Facebook.

The operative was directed to the Bugno home address where Ms Bugno was recorded on a covert camera making the sale.

Councillor Dr Nathan Ley, cabinet member for public health, inequalities and community safety, said: “Oxfordshire’s trading standards team, working in partnership with Thames Valley Police and other agencies will continue to crack down on the sale of these illegal products."