A BUSINESSMAN has been fined £10,000 after sniffer dogs rooted out a stash of illegal cigarettes in his Heaton shop.

Bolton Council's trading standards team led a raid at Euro Markets Bolton in Chorley Old Road on October 9 last year.

Inside they discovered two hauls of illicit tobacco products, one hidden behind a shelving unit and one near a till point.

The shop's owner Hassan Kabki pleaded guilty to selling cigarettes without health warnings and bearing trademarks of firms without their consent when he appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court.

The council said 425 packets of illicit tobacco products were found — with 97 of them counterfeit.

Cllr Nick Peel said: “Far from being a victimless crime, the illegal trade in tobacco costs government millions each year in lost revenue, makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime.

"Illicit tobacco has a devastating effect on health. High tobacco prices encourage smokers to give up, dissuade people from starting to smoke and reduce tobacco consumption overall.

"Where illicit tobacco products are widely available at low cost, these benefits are undermined and smokers are less likely to quit."

The October 9 raid followed intelligence received by the council, with the local authority joined by police and trading standards' north west illicit tobacco team.

Cllr Peel added: "Bolton trading standards will continue to be pro-active and carry out inspections based on intelligence received.

"We hope that this fine shows that people involved in the supply or sale of illegal tobacco can face serious penalties.”

Kabki was fined £5,000 for the trademark offences and the same amount for the health warnings offences.

He was also told to pay £1878 in other costs, while the goods seized were made subject to a forfeiture order.

Kabki was not available for comment.