A SECRET stash of illegal tobacco hidden in a 'false ceiling' was found by trading standards officers during a visit to a Lydney off licence.

Amir Muhammad Karim, who owned the Quick Stop shop in Forest Road during the visit last March, appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates’ on Monday.

Initially, it looked as though renovation worked had been carried out in the toilet room of the shop, but on closer inspection trading standards discovered that an elaborate mechanical false ceiling had been installed, controlled by remote control motors. When operated, the ceiling descended to reveal a cache of illegal tobacco.

Mr Karim, 32, of 29 Shobnall Close, Derby, faced nine charges of selling or possessing for sale counterfeit Mayfair branded cigarettes, four charges of selling or possessing for sale tobacco without the required UK health warnings, and a further charge of selling or possessing for sale tobacco which was not UK duty paid.

Prior to the visit, trading standards had seized tobacco from the shop on two previous occasions and made four test purchases when illegal tobacco was sold.

In total more than 16,000 cigarettes and around 50kg of tobacco were seized which the shop would have sold for around £12,000 at £3 per pack of 20 cigarettes and £9 for a 50g pouch of tobacco.

A cash seizure of £1272.50 was also made from the premises under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

During the previous visits tobacco was found in a vehicle parked behind the shop. Officers had observed a shop employee going to the car to fetch illegal tobacco. The vehicle was seized by officers from HMRC.

Two shop employees who ran the business for Karim have already pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

District Judge Bopa-Rai found Amir Karim guilty of all charges. He imposed a 26 weeks prison sentence with immediate effect. Karim also has to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £1000 towards prosecution costs.

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said: "I am pleased to see that our trading standards service has worked hard to stop the illegal trade of counterfeit tobacco at this store.

"Not only were the shop owner’s actions legally wrong, but morally wrong too as it could have caused significant health issues to anyone buying these illegal products.

"I hope that cases like this act as a warning to traders who are operating illegally. We will bring you to account and see you in court."

If anyone has information about illegal tobacco in their area they can report it anonymously by contacting the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.