A Hammersmith trader has been fined £2,400 after being found with a stash of illegal tobacco.
Sniffer dogs uncovered 101 packets of cigarettes and rolling tobacco during a raid, in May last year, at Dallas News in King Street.
It was a part of a joint crackdown by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, working alongside HM Customs and Excise.
Aruna Patel appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court where she admitted being in possession of tobacco products which did not contain the prescribed health warnings.
“This is an excellent example of partnership working between our trading standards service and HM Customs,” Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s crime boss Mike Cartwright.
“The use of these highly-trained sniffer dogs demonstrates how adept they are at discovering these illicit tobacco products, wherever they may be kept.”
During the visit, which was the result of a tip-off, the sniffer dogs led officers to the tobacco which had been stored in a tank above the toilet in the rear of the shop, according to a council statement.
None of the tobacco, which has an estimated value of £600, was printed with the health warnings, which are required by law.
Mrs Patel, of Paulhan Road, Harrow, was also ordered to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £40 during his appearance at court on April 16.
