The jig's up for e-cig crooks

A petrol station shop owner and manager have been fined more than £11,000 after pleading guilty to selling illegal disposable vapes.

Usman Patel, owner of the former Texaco garage on Caroline Street in Stalybridge, and its manager Khalid Muhammed, were brought before Tameside Magistrates’ Court on January 3 on three charges. 

Trading standards officers seized a quantity of the illegal e-cigs in June 2023, as well as making a test purchase of them from the petrol station’s shop. 

Patel, of Newstead Drive, Bolton, was hit with a £4,000 fine, told to pay £1,600 in victim surcharges, as well as £715 in court costs. 

Muhammed, from Fenton Way, Bolton, must pay a fine of £3,200, a £1,260 victim surcharge and court costs of £715, bringing to total amount for the pair to £11,490. 

“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,” said Tameside Council’s Environmental Services lead, Cllr Laura Boyle. 

“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.”