A SHOPKEEPER has been slapped with a fine after being convicted of selling smuggled cigarettes from his Old Trafford store.

Imran Chunara, of I&F Discount Store, in Ayres Road, pleaded guilty to four counts of selling illicit tobacco at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court, on Thursday September 29.

Chunara was fined £265 for each of the four offences, ordered to pay costs of £765 and also a victim surcharge of £26, meaning he will have a fork out a total of £1,851.

The case was brought by Trafford Council’s trading standards officers following an enforcement visit to Mr Chunara’s hardware store in March of this year.

Chunara was found to be selling four different brands of smuggled cigarettes intended for foreign markets, which did not carry the required health warnings.

This was in spite of the fact that he had received a warning following a similar visit in 2014.

Cllr John Reilly, executive member for economic growth, environment and infrastructure, said “As a council we work closely with the police and partner agencies to identify perpetrators of illegal activity and will use the full force of the courts to deal with them.

“This prosecution sends a clear message that the courts take the sale of illegal tobacco products seriously and will deal with such activity when it is brought before them. Trafford's trading standards officers will continue to work with the police and partner agencies to identify and act against those selling illegal goods.”