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

Ahmed Mohammed Amin pleaded guilty to multiple offences related to the possession and concealment of illicit tobacco, including 17,900 illicit cigarettes and 172 pouches of 50 grams of illicit hand-rolling tobacco found at Goldthorpe Mini Market, High Street, Goldthorpe, intended for sale to the public which did not comply with UK packaging regulations in relation to colour and shade and with inadequate health warnings. 

He had pleaded guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act 2006 in relation to the possession and concealment of the illicit tobacco products. 

Mr Amin was sentenced on Thursday 13 June to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. 

He will be required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £600 towards prosecution costs. The goods seized as part of the case were forfeited and ordered to be destroyed. 

Anna Hartley, Executive Director for Public Health and Communities, said: "We're fully committed to cutting down the availability and preventing the sales of illegal tobacco in Barnsley.  This is another case which shows that we will take action against those who continue to sell it and put people in our communities at risk. 

"While all tobacco poses significant health risks, the unregulated products sold as part of the illicit tobacco trade may contain higher levels of toxins and unknown substances, which can be even more dangerous and harmful to people's health. 

“Trade in illicit tobacco damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade, protecting our communities from both the criminal elements involved and the potential health hazards posed by these unregulated products. 

"I’d like to thank our Regulatory Services and Legal Services teams for their assistance in this prosecution."