Doncaster off-licence inspection uncovers hidden compartment filled with 200+ illicit cigarette packs

Eye-opening images have revealed the hidden compartment installed in the bathroom of a Doncaster off-licence used to store illicit and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.

The secret cupboard was found during an unannounced inspection of Sunny’s Food & Wine on Carr House Road in Hyde Park, Doncaster, on October 12, 2026, after a prospective new owner submitted an application for a new alcohol licence.

A sub-committee of councillors at the City of Doncaster Council accepted that the applicant, Surjeet Singh, had nothing to do with the ‘wrongdoings’ of Mr Mohammed Amin Mohammed, the current owner of the store, who was not in attendance.

Mr Singh submitted his application for a new licence ahead of purchasing the premises from Mr Mohammed, prompting officials from Trading Standards and the Licensing Authority to conduct an inspection.

The sub-committee heard that Mr Singh owned multiple stores across Doncaster and Rotherham and maintained good practice, never having had issues with Trading Standards.

It was said that he’d signed a commitment to purchase the shop on October 17, 2026 – five days after the inspection uncovered the hidden compartment – however, licensing and Trading Standards officials said they had yet to receive any evidence that the sale had been completed.

Trading Standards’ Faye Delaney told the sub-committee: “If the licence is granted today and the sale doesn’t go through then Mr Mohammed will then have a new licence.”

She added that officers found 223 packs of illicit and counterfeit tobacco hidden in the secret bathroom cupboard, which were seized, and that Mr Mohammed was the only member of staff in the store during the inspection.

Surendra Panchal, who was representing Mr Singh in the meeting, told the committee: “We acknowledge the seriousness of the matters identified in the inspection of October 12, 2026. However, it took place five days before the agreement with Mr Singh on October 17, 2026.

“It has nothing to do with him.”

Mr Panchal insisted the sale had been agreed between Mr Singh and Mr Mohammed and was currently being dealt with by solicitors.

Councillor Gerald Squire, chair of the licensing sub-committee, said: “We are mindful not to attribute the wrongdoings of Mr Mohammed to Mr Singh.

“We fully accept that the premises was in the control of the previous owner.”

However, due to the lack of documentation confirming the sale of the premises from Mr Mohammed to Mr Singh, Coun Squire said the sub-committee had rejected the application.

In a February 2026 licensing hearing, Mr Mohammed had a new alcohol licence refused for the same store, after the sub-committee was told he had been involved in “multiple incidents” allegedly selling illicit tobacco and vapes, as well as counterfeit cigarettes, which Mr Mohammed disputed.