Two brothers have been fined for storing illegal tobacco at their Lewisham newsagent.

A total of 17,000 illegal Polish and Russian cigarettes were found at Stones Newsagents in Leegate on March 22 along with pouches containing illegal tobacco worth an estimated £11,500 if sold.

Erfan Mohammed and his brother Imran, who owns the shop, appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and were fined £880 each after both pleading guilty to keeping illegal tobacco on the shop premises.

Councillor Rachel Onikosi, Lewisham Council cabinet member for the public realm, said: “Illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime. Those selling cheap, illegal tobacco are not ‘Robin Hood’ characters, the illegal tobacco trade makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of low-income families, and helps fund organised crime.”

In another case, Kemal Altundal and his trading company Woodman London Limited were fined at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for selling cigarettes with foreign health warnings in Charlton.

The 34-year-old, who runs Little Health supermarket, and his company were prosecuted under the Consumer Protection Act for not displaying health warnings on tobacco products in English and without proper taxes being paid.

A total of 67 packets containing 1,340 cigarettes were seized, plus 38 packets of tobacco weighing 1.9kg.

Altundal pleaded guilty to the charges which were the result of a Trading Standards mystery shopper volunteer who visited the store on November 26 last year.

Woodman London Limited was fined £2,000, told to pay £1,456 prosecution costs and a £120 victim surcharge, while Altundal, the company’s sole director, was fined £1,000 and told to pay £100 victim surcharge.

Councillor Jackie Smith, Greenwich Council cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: “The Royal Borough takes a strong view against anyone selling illegal tobacco - or alcohol - and we will not hesitate to take strong action.”