A WARNING has been issued to rogue traders by a senior councillor after a Greenock butcher was caught selling illegal tobacco.

Jim Clocherty says the local authority will continue to target business owners who flout the law in an effort to make money from bootleg schemes.

The Telegraph told yesterday how Adam Johnstone-Smith, 71, ran an illegal tobacco peddling sideline from his J.Maitland Butcher shop on Lynedoch Street.

He was caught with more than 13,000 counterfeit cigarettes following three raids on the premises in less than two months last year.

Mr Clocherty said: “Illicit tobacco undermines every health initiative to reduce smoking rates. This particular trader was not registered to sell tobacco nor was he displaying the statutory notice warning that it is illegal to sell tobacco to under-18s.”

Councillor Clocherty added: “All cigarettes are dangerous but illegal ones even more so because they are not checked and could contain anything.

“Inverclyde Council will continue to play its part in the nationwide effort to carry out enforcement exercises targeting rogue traders.”