Chorley shopkeeper Siraj Patel caught selling dodgy tobacco for the third time

A shopkeeper has been caught peddling illicit tobacco despite two previous similar convictions.
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Siraj Patel, 49, of Pall Mall News, Chorley, was prosecuted by Lancashire Trading Standards after three test purchases and three seizures of illicit tobacco at the store between January 2018 and September 2019.

Prosecuting, Claire Box said he sold incorrectly labelled cigarettes for £4.50 - undercutting genuine retailers - and a further stash of tobacco was found in a shed.

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She said: “Siraj Patel was solely present behind the counter and confirmed he was the shop owner. 2 packs of improperly labelled Mayfair cigarettes were seized from the tobacco gantry, along with a pack of incorrectly labelled L&M cigarettes found behind a microwave in the stock room.”

Preston Magistrates' CourtPreston Magistrates' Court
Preston Magistrates' Court

Mislabelled packets without the legally required health warnings deny consumers information about the dangers of smoking.

Packs are sold much cheaper than genuine ones, making the habit affordable, and unregulated cigarettes can contain sickening additional products like rat droppings and plastic.

The black market makes it tough for smaller businesses, who rely on footfall from customers buying genuine cigarettes, to compete.

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Patel, of Balaclava Street, Blackburn, admitted six charges.

He got a 12 week curfew and must pay £567 costs.

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