The owner of a Coalville convenience store has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to selling illicit tobacco from under the counter in his shop.

But part of the reason why he was prosecuted was Tobacco Detection Dog Billy, who sniffed out a concealed batch of 107 packs of cigarettes.

Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards service prosecuted Dlawar Mohamad Jamil after officers carried out three test purchases at Coalville Mini Market at 12 High Street, Coalville on separate occasions between June and October 2022, during which they were sold illegal tobacco products, which were hidden away in the shop.

Mr Jamil pleaded guilty to 17 charges relating to the supply of illicit tobacco products when he appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on January 31.

The court heard that in June 2022, Mr Jamil sold the Trading Standards test purchaser a counterfeit packet of cigarettes for £5 – less than half the price of a genuine pack - and offered various other brands.

A further packet of cigarettes was sold by the business in July 2022, followed up by an enforcement visit to search for illegal tobacco. 

The search was supported by the police and Billy, who successfully identified a concealed shelf under the counter containing 107 packets of cigarettes.

The seized tobacco had a street value of £535, and would have been worth an estimated £1,123.50 if the cigarettes had been genuine brands.

The offences were committed by the owner of Coalville Mini Market. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

This did not deter Mr Jamil, who again sold a further two packets of illegal cigarettes in October 2022 when Trading Standards again made a test purchase.

Magistrates imposed a Community Purchase Order on Mr Jamil, which means he will need to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £95.

Gary Connors, head of Leicestershire Trading Standards, said: "Trade in illicit tobacco costs the country more than £2 billion in lost tax revenue each year.

"It funds other criminality, undermines public health and often provides a cheap source of tobacco for young people.

"Leicestershire Trading Standards Service will continue to take enforcement action to keep our local communities safe and ensure there is adequate support for our local businesses that do comply with the law."

Anyone who believes that potentially dangerous or counterfeit products are being sold in Leicestershire can report it to Leicestershire Trading Standards using the online form HERE or by calling 0808 223 1133.