TWO Dudley business owners have landed court hefty fines for possessing illegal tobacco.

Dudley Council's trading standards team seized cigarettes and tobacco from Russells Hall Post Office during a raid with police and specially trained dog.

They found 76 packets of cigarettes and 23 packets of hand rolling tobacco at the Russells Hall Road premises, none of which had UK duty paid on them.

Of those, 40 packets of cigarettes and eight packets of the tobacco were found to be counterfeit.

Mohammed Rasif Janjua, of Deanwood Avenue, Handsworth, pleaded guilty to four offences including possessing for supply of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco and being concerned in the acquisition, use or possession of criminal property for which duty had not been paid, when he appeared before Dudley Magistrates Court.

His son, 21-year-old Kalif Coady, of Kingbury Road, Erdington, pleaded guilty to four similar offences.

Janjuah, aged 46, was given a 12 month community order including a two month night time curfew and 80 hours unpaid work.

Magistrates also suspended his personal licence to sell alcohol for four months and ordered him to pay £1,000 costs and victim surcharge of £60.

Coady was sentenced to eight weeks custody, suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 100 hours community service and pay £1,180 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for health, said: “Illicit tobacco often doesn’t contain the necessary health warnings and is sold cheaply, making the purchase of cigarettes more attractive and more accessible.

"We support legitimate businesses that comply with the law and have zero tolerance of any businesses dealing in illegal tobacco and will prosecute in all cases."

Residents can report any suspicious activity to Trading Standards on 01384 818871 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.