AN ILLEGAL tobacco trader has been ordered to pay more than £1,800 following a court appearance.
Mahmud Aziz, 47, previously of Hoyland Mini Market on King Street, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on December 14.
Mr Aziz, who told the court he no longer operates the shop in Barnsley, pleaded guilty to an offence of having 12 packets of illegal cigarettes and one pack of illegal tobacco for sale at his premises in August 2020.
The products were found following an enforcement inspection by Barnsley Council on August 21, 2020.
Aziz was fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £1,857.
He was also found guilty of a section six fraud offence.
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “All tobacco poses significant health risks, and we are fully committed to preventing the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.
“Cheap illegal cigarettes encourage the increased use of tobacco products and young people to take up smoking, and our officers are working to stamp out the availability of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in Barnsley.”
