A SOPHISTICATED system for hiding illicit tobacco has been uncovered at a Hereford shop – for the second time.

Kursheed Kadir, proprietor of Eign Gate shop Zabka, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months at a hearing at Hereford Magistrates Court last Tuesday (November25).

He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work and pay a total fine of £1,350 for supplying illicit tobacco.

The court heard that Kadir, who took over the business last June, was caught selling illicit cigarettes on July 4 by a council officer who was visiting the premise in connection with a different matter.

On July 29, with assistance from West Mercia Police, a warrant was executed and Kadir’s sophisticated system of hiding the illicit tobacco was uncovered.

Officers found that a wireless doorbell system was being used to alert staff on the top floor of the premises, so they could quickly move the illicit tobacco onto the flat roof of an adjoining building.

A 60cm wide opening had been made in a solid brick exterior wall so custom made trays of illicit cigarettes and counterfeit hand rolling tobacco could be pushed through the hole quickly.

The opening was hidden behind skirting boards and shelving, so officers would not be suspicious when they inspected the room.

However the officer was able to catch staff in the middle of sliding the illicit tobacco onto the roof.

In August this year, Ali Omar Shukir, who took over the same shop in January, was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £750 costs after he also sold illicit tobacco there.

It was being stored in a secret compartment, hidden within the building walls, which was covered by kitchen cupboards and could only be accessed by the use of an electric switch linked to strong magnets.

Mike Pigrem, head of trading standards and licensing, said: "Selling illegal tobacco is a crime and the council’s trading standards team is doing all within its powers to tackle this growing menace and potential health ‘time bomb’ within the county."

Patricia Morgan, cabinet member for corporate services, said the council “fully supports” trading standards and the police in cracking down on the illegal tobacco trade in our county.

"Peoples’ health is at risk, as children and young people are often targeted by those who sell illegal cigarettes, making it even easier for them to get hooked on smoking,” she said.

"Cheap cigarettes also make it harder for people to quit and remain smoke free."

Anyone with information on people dealing illegal tobacco products, can call trading standards on 01432 261761.