A BRADFORD shopkeeper has been fined more than £1,700 for selling illegal cut price cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.

Trading Standards officers found a stash of illicit tobacco products hidden in a chair when they swooped on Zak’s Food Store on Legrams Lane, Bradford, Keighley magistrates heard.

Abdullah Muhammad, 30, of Hawkshead Drive, Broomfields, Bradford, was prosecuted for possession with intent to supply 58 packets of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.

He pleaded guilty yesterday and was fined a total of £1,763.

The court heard the investigation began when a member of the public complained that Muhammad was selling illegal products.

Officers made a test purchase of 50g Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco, paying far lower at the shop than the recommended retail price.

The product did not bear any of the statutory health warnings and it turned out to be counterfeit. A search of the shop uncovered further illicit tobacco products concealed in the hollow seat of a wooden chair.

Muhammad said that he was fully aware the tobacco products seized by Trading Standards were illegal to sell, the court was told.

After the case, David Lodge, head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “Smoking is currently at an all time low and health warnings on cigarettes are a statutory requirement to highlight the health impacts to consumers of using them.

“This case highlightsthat those caught selling even a small amount of illicit tobacco will be treated seriouslyand legal action taken.”

He said illegal cigarettes and tobacco were usually sold at half, or even a third, of the retail price in pubs, clubs, shops, private houses and by street hawkers.