A STALYBRIDGE shop owner and manager have been ordered to pay over £11,000 after pleading guilty to three charges in relation to the sale and supply of illegal disposable e-cigarettes.
Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard that Tameside Council trading standards officers visited Texaco Caroline Street Service Station, Stalybridge, in June 2023 and seized a quantity of illegal disposable e-cigarettes.
A test purchase of an illegal disposable e-cigarettes was also made from the business.
This resulted in three charges being brought against Mr Usman Patel, of Newstead Drive, Bolton, as the owner of the business and Mr Khalid Muhammed, of Fenton Way, Bolton, as the manager of the business.
On 3 January 2025, Tameside magistrates sentenced Mr Patel to a £4,000 fine, and ordered him to pay a £1,600 victim surcharge and £715 costs. Mr Muhammed was sentenced to a £3,200 fine, and ordered to pay a £1,260 victim surcharge and £715 costs.
Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Service and Neighbourhoods Cllr 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 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.”