A HEREFORD shop with a history of selling of illicit tobacco has been granted a premises licence.

Police and trading standards tried to block the move by Zardashit Karem Salh for the Zabka shop on Eign Gate.

The shop has a troubled recent history with former proprietor Kursheed Kadir given a 12-week suspended jail sentence in November for selling the illicit tobacco from the store.

Three months earlier, Ali Omar Shukir, who took over the same shop last January, was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £750 costs after he also sold illicit tobacco from the property.

But Herefordshire Council's Regulatory Sub-Committee granted permission for the sale of alcohol, subject to Mr Shukir providing a physical copy of the licence agreement within the next month.

West Mercia Police said before the committee meeting that it has evidence the latest applicant “has connections” with those involved in the sale and supply of illegal tobacco.

The county’s trading standards team feels the same.

As reported by the Hereford Times in July last year, Mr Kadir’s illicit tobacco racket was uncovered when a warrant was executed at the shop.

Police officers found 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 on to 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.