A Washington shopkeeper has been fined after almost 10,000 counterfeit cigarettes were seized from his garage.

Tajinder Singh, owner of Washington Wines on The Drive, Washington, was found with a total of 10,040 fake cigarettes after searches of his home and convenience store.

Police officers swooped on his home address on Hargill Drive, Washington, and found 9,400 illegal cigarettes stored in his garage among legitimate tobacco products.

The case was passed to HMRC for further investigation and officers visited Washington Wines and found 640 counterfeit cigarettes on sale.

All 10,040 fake cigarettes, worth £2,861 in excise duty evaded, were seized by the HMRC.

A further 3,060 UK duty-paid cigarettes which were stored with the illegal products were also seized.

Singh, 37, pleaded guilty to tobacco fraud at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on January 30, and was fined £640.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “Singh thought it was acceptable to sell counterfeit cigarettes over the counter to line his pockets with taxpayer’s money.

Gateshead shop stripped of licence after selling alcohol to underage teens TWICE

“HMRC will continue to work with partner agencies to crack down on the illegal tobacco market which damages legitimate businesses and takes money away from our public services.

“If you know anyone committing tobacco fraud please contact our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”