A SHOP manager has been banned from selling tobacco after a raid uncovered smuggled products hidden around his store.

Ary Mohamed's shop – Smaczny Polski Sklep in Derby Street, Deane – was raided on October 7 last year by agencies including Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Greater Manchester Police.

Bolton magistrates' were told a sniffer dog found 6,940 mixed brand cigarettes and 350g of mixed brand tobacco within two brown boxes in the store room. The animal also uncovered 5,030 mixed brand cigarettes and 350g of mixed brand hand rolling tobacco within a concealed shelf under the counter. And it led officers to 3,650g of shisha tobacco also hidden behind the counter.

The court heard none of the merchandise found had evidence that UK duty had been paid. The total VAT and duty evaded was an estimated £4,478.11.

Mohamed, aged 30, of Moseley Common Road, Moseley Common, admitted one count of selling, offering for sale or otherwise dealing in unmarked products. He was fined £2,500 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £250 and court costs of £85.

Mohamed was banned from selling tobacco for six months and told all the goods will be forfeited and destroyed.

Sandra Smith, HMRC's assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2.1 billion a year, and the sale of illicit alcohol which costs the UK around £1 billion per year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders."

The Smaczny Polski Sklep was one of 50 shops visited by theHer Majesty's Revenue and Customs-led team on October 6 and 7 last year during the series of raids codenamed Operation Scary.

Shoppers are encouraged to report the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol via the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.