Thanks to work by our Regulatory Services and Legal Services team, another illegal tobacco trader has been brought to court and successfully prosecuted. 

Mahmud Aziz, 47, previously of Hoyland Mini Market, King Street, Hoyland, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates Court on Thursday 14 December 2023.

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 illegal cigarettes and tobacco were found at the premises when our Regulatory Services carried out an enforcement visit on 21 August 2020.

Mr Aziz received a fine and costs of £1,857 for offences related to the possession for sale of illicit tobacco contrary to UK packaging regulations and with inadequate health warnings. Mr Aziz was also found guilty of a Section 6 Fraud offence, for being in possession of an article – the illicit tobacco and cigarettes – for use in a present or future fraud.

Cllr 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.”

If you have any information regarding the sale of illegal tobacco, please contact Regulatory Services on (01226) 773743 or email regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk. Although it is of greatest benefit to us to have your contact details when you pass information through to us, information can also be provided anonymously.