A SHOPWORKER has been jailed after the discovery of an illegal tobacco stash worth more than £10,000.

East Sussex Trading Standards officers found the illegal hand rolling tobacco and cigarettes after three inspections at Aryian Mini Market in Eastbourne, in 2020.

One of the inspections of the Brassey Avenue store was conducted by with a tobacco trained sniffer dog.

The tobacco and cigarettes were found hidden in various concealment, including under the floor of the shop’s rear stock room and behind wall panelling.

Sarbast Hassan admitted ownership of the items with a view to sale.

The estimated total retail value of the illegal tobacco from all three inspections was £10,374.

The 32-year-old, who now lives at Essex Street, Hull, was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to the possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale and possessing non UK duty paid hand rolling tobacco and cigarettes.

Richard Strawson, East Sussex Trading Standards manager, said: “This conviction is another warning to those involved in the sale of counterfeit tobacco that we are committed to finding and prosecuting those who persist in this illegal activity.

“We take the supply of illegal tobacco very seriously and will do everything in our power to tackle this problem and protect our residents.”

Sentencing Hassan at Hove Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Gold QC said: “These are serious matters involving the trade of illicit goods. I consider it so serious that only a custodial sentence will suffice.”

A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the tobacco seized, and Hassan was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,644.

Darrell Gale, director of Public Health in East Sussex, added: “There are an estimated 57,000 smokers in East Sussex and, each year, approximately 1,000 deaths in the county are attributable to smoking.

“Most smokers started before they were 18 and illegal tobacco is sold at pocket money prices getting local children, in the poorest parts of the county, addicted to tobacco, perpetuating the cycle of health inequalities.

“Public Health will continue to work with Trading Standards and other partners across the county to tackle illegal tobacco, protecting our communities from tobacco addiction and its related harm.”

Aryian Mini Market is now under new ownership.

Members of the public are encouraged to play their part in helping East Sussex Trading Standards and Public Health keep illegal tobacco products off the streets by reporting anything suspicious.