A SHOPKEEPER found with more than 10,000 illegal cigarettes has been forced to pay £2,000 in costs.

On Monday, Hussain Anwari, of Honeywell Close, pleaded guilty to selling illegal cigarettes.

Earlier this year, on February 11, he sold the cigarettes to a test purchaser and was subsequently found with 10,460 cigs and 72 pouches of tobacco at the Cudworth shop.

He was given a 26-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months.

The 31-year-old was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

Coun Jim Andrews, cabinet spokesperson for public health, said: “The law to have health warnings on cigarettes is in place to warn users of the harms of smoking and to increase awareness of these health facts.

“Cigarettes smuggled in from disadvantaged countries are often manufactured to a very low standard and also known to be a fire safety risk.

“These convictions send a strong and clear message of the risks you take by selling illicit products without health warnings.”