The owner and manager of a petrol station have been hit with an £11,000 bill after admitting charges relating to the sale and supply of illegal e-cigarettes.
Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard Tameside council trading standards officers visited the Texaco service station on Caroline Street, Stalybridge, in June 2023.
They seized illegal disposable e-cigarettes. A test purchase of illegal disposable e-cigarettes was also made.
Three charges were brought against Usman Patel, of Newstead Drive, Bolton, as the owner of the business; and Khalid Muhammed, of Fenton Way, Bolton, as the manager.
On January 3 this year, magistrates sentenced Mr Patel to a £4,000 fine and ordered him to pay a £1,600 victim surcharge, as well as £715 costs. Mr Muhammed was sentenced to a £3,200 fine and ordered to pay a £1,260 victim surcharge, and £715 costs.
Tameside town hall’s executive member for environmental eervice and neighbourhoods, councillor Laura Boyle said: “Trade in illicit tobacco and e cigarettes supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.
“This is a great result from the court and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal trading in Tameside. Public protection is a priority for us and our officers are proactive in acting on local intelligence and investigating rogue traders to keep our local communities safe as well as to support responsible, local businesses that comply with the law.”