A TOBACCO display has been removed from a Newport newsagent after its licence was revoked for selling illegal cigarettes.

The former licence holder of Nazar Mini Market, Osman Olmus, was called before before Newport City Council’s licensing committee on May 12 following a private investigation by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) - the owners of the gantry - in March 2014.

The investigation found that the shop failed to comply with safety regulations when a private investigator purchased a packed of Jin Ling cigarettes. It was found that the cigarettes were smuggled and not intended for the UK.

Previously, in July 2013, a trading standards officer from Newport City Council seized 35 packets of Russian cigarettes, 24 packets of Marlboro Gold and 17 packets of Marlboro Red cigarettes, all with foreign labelling at Nazar Mini Market.

Trading Standards said that in May 2014, Newport City Council officers again inspected Nazar Mini Market and seized 58 packets of 20 Marlboro Gold and one pouch of Cutters Choice tobacco with foreign labelling.

Charlie Cunningham-Reid, UK Head of corporate affairs for JTI, said: “Given the offence committed by this retailer, JTI has decided that the removal of our gantry on June 1 was the most appropriate course of action.

“JTI has had to do this as we continue to see some independent retailers get sucked into this illegal trade, giving honest hard-working retailers a bad name.

“If this type of crime continues, customers who buy tobacco products will lose faith and trust in their local shops as the perception grows that the independent trade is rife with ‘dodgy cigarettes’.

“Our commitment to support the actions of HMRC and Trading Standards is steadfast and we must work together to eradicate this trend along with the reputable hard working retailers who also want to see an end to this crime."

A spokesman for Newport City Council added: “Newport City Council is committed to protecting the public from irresponsible traders who flout the law by knowingly selling counterfeit and often dangerous products.

“In this case, Newport City Council’s licensing sub committee took the view that under the Licensing Act objective to prevent crime, this was so serious that the premises licence should be revoked.

“The council will not hesitate to use its powers in appropriate cases to prosecute traders who disregard public protection laws and where, it is able, to revoke their licences.”

The business was sold on April 1 to Kasim Olguz, who it was acknowledged had no part in the sale of illegal tobacco. Mr Olguz told the Argus he has no plans to sell cigarettes.