A FRAUDSTER was caught by police officers with 40,000 fake cigarettes and a pot of cash from selling the moody merchandise.

Sardar Mohmood, aged 36, of St Peters Way, was selling the counterfeit cigarettes - known as 'illegal whites'.

Officers from Cheshire Police had visited Mohmood regarding an 'unrelated' matter, and found the tobacco, and £1000 in cash, ill gotten gains from the illegal sales.

The cash and cigarettes were both seized and passed onto Trading Standards at Warrington Borough Council.

Mohmood pleaded guilty to possessing cigarettes with a view to supply.

He was fined £1000 and ordered to pay costs of £200, with a £100 victim surcharge.

The £1000 found at the property was also forfeited.

Pete Astley, assistant director for regulation and public protection, said today: "This is a great example of where the vigilance of our colleagues in Cheshire Police has enabled us to take action.

"Through excellent partnership working we are identifying more and more of these individuals so no one selling illicit tobacco can ever feel safe from detection.

“All tobacco is harmful, but illicit cigarettes seriously undermine our drive to reduce smoking, fuel organised criminality and are often a gateway for our young people to be addicted to the habit which prematurely kills over half its users."

"We will do whatever we can to stamp out this crime, not only by taking individuals found with illicit tobacco to court, but also seeking to take away their assets.

"This clearly sends out a message that if you continue to trade in illicit tobacco, you will be hit very hard indeed."

To report the sale of counterfeit goods, call the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506.